Library in early stages of design for renovations

As the Madison County Commission moves through its list of major capital project priorities, the renovation of the Jackson-Madison County Public Library slowly gets closer and closer to the top of that list.

This past year, the County and City Capital budgets allowed for the library to spend money on a schematic design. After having gone through the bid process for that, Library Director Dinah Harris said the process is about to begin with 4F Design.

They will be working in conjunction with Anders C. Dahlgren with Library Planning Associates in Normal, Ill. Dahlgren was the one who worked with the library in 2021-22 about assessing its needs and suggested space based on usage data and the population of Jackson and Madison County.

According to Harris, Dahlgren met with 4F toward the end of December, so they have the information they need based on original recommendations of all the space and specific items Harris and library personnel have put together based on usage data, their own observation and input gathered from surveying library stakeholders.

"We've talked to the library board and people who come to the library on a regular basis ," Harris said. "We've heard from our own people and what they need and want and are looking for from us."

Among plans for the renovation is an expanded Tennessee Room.

"There's so much local history and genealogy we keep in there, and more information continues to come in and needs to be archived," Harris said. "We need more space for that group."

Harris also wants to put the library's teen room and maker space together in the same suite and allow there to be a lab between them to where they can come together and produce things together.

Harris would also like the children's room to be in the same suite as the Teen Room and Maker Space. This would allow closer supervision of the area and more collaboration between the departments.

Safety is another concern as Harris said both county and city law enforcement officials have suggested the library be reduced to one entry/exit.

One other addition Harris is hoping for eventually is more study rooms.

"I'm constantly asked about study rooms, and when this place was designed and built 50-plus years ago, study rooms weren't something that was in the design for whatever reason," Harris said. "So if we can change that, I'd like to be able to."

The County Commission hasn't given Harris a possible timetable for the completion of this. They have other projects to complete first like Pope School, and they're in the early stages of also building a new juvenile justice center.

"But now we're in the process of putting together what exactly we're asking for. Once we have that, hopefully it will be the information needed to decide if and when this can happen." Harris said. "I'm hopeful for it because many people in both the City and the County know how important a library is for the citizens of Jackson and Madison County.

"With these additions, it will become even more important for the city and county."

Brandon Shields, brandon@jacksonpost.news