You might have read the front page article in the 7/18/24 edition of the Leavenworth Times or heard about it from a friend. We wish to answer questions you may have. You are always welcome to contact me for more information.
A Needs Assessment is a preliminary study that identifies how space should be designed and organized to meet new and future community needs. It is based on several factors, including input from users and staff and standards that translate need into square footage. For example, if a library needs X number of books to meet demand, Y amount of shelf space will be required to house them. Assessments are performed by design professionals with experience in how libraries work. Usually the pros and cons of redesigning an existing facility versus a new building on a new site are considered.
Community input has been gathered. 364 community members responded to the public survey that was part of the Library’s strategic planning effort in spring 2022. The current facility was mentioned over 400 times, more than any other subject. That was a real wake up call. The Library responded by adopting Contemporary Facilities as one of four “Focus Areas” for the Strategic Plan. Some of the specific goals for that Area are:
- Hire qualified architect and design firm to investigate feasibility of new build versus rehabilitation of existing building
- Analyze current facility/use study for current optimization of workflow and space needs
That, in a nutshell, is a needs assessment. It is a very standard process. An assessment was performed in 1984 as the Library considered moving from the Carnegie building. The study applied established library design standards. 16 different locations were considered. Three telling facts from that 1984 assessment stand out: the current building was not the first choice, it was 6,000 square feet smaller than recommended and therefore had an optimal lifespan of 20 years. That was 40 years ago.
A new needs assessment is the best first step to begin informed conversations about how to provide quality Library service in Leavenworth for the future.
— Matt Nojonen, Library Director