While its still in the planning process, Newcastle City Council members have approved changes to the Newcastle Public Library at an estimated cost of $1.4 million. The changes are being planned and paid for by Pioneer Library System.
During the June City Council meeting, held earlier this month, a new Master Plan was outlined with PLS reporting the $1.4 million upgrade to the facility.
Addressing the City Council, Kristilyn Vercruysse, architect and senior associate with MSR Design, said PLS did research to determine what it would take to accomplish their goals. Newcastle Public Library was among the top of the list of needs.
She said, “Pioneer Library System went to every branch in their system, and met with their branch managers. They were specifically looking at collaborative space, outdoor space, Maker Labs, and meeting spaces. These are the new services that libraries can offer to communities like yours.”
Pioneer Library System Board of Directors Chair Goldie West said the board looked at its funding for the past four years, and determined they wanted to do a project like this across the PLS system.
“The board looked at the Master Plan and made some priorities. We wanted to do one project in each county per year,” West said. “We will be working first on Norman West, but other projects being prioritized are New- castle, South Oklahoma City and Shawnee. Newcastle’s is the most expensive one on the plan. The board said let’s make that a priority.”
She said its a recognition of the city’s growth and the business level that is happening at the Newcastle library.
In their presentation to the City Council, PLS reports that Newcastle is undersized for its current service population. The Newcastle Library has the highest visits per capita at 4.92 visits per person, while the Pioneer Library System average is 2.5 visits per person.
Newcastle computer use is reported as average, but loans per capita is the highest in the PLS system at 9.26. The PLS average is 4.5. They also report that Newcastle has an average amount of population over the age of 65, and a higher than average amount of households with people under the age of 18.
The PLS board’s recommendations are that the City spaces would remain as they are, but there would be an addition to the parking lot side of the library. They would possibly refine use of exterior space, provide an American Disabilities Act-accessible toilet for the public and staff. And, they might possibly add green space to the south of the library addition. These changes would reduce the parking count at the facility by two stalls, and the 24-hour library services now available on the south side would have to be relocated.
Specific recommendations are to add an ADA unisex public restroom, an ADA unisex staff restroom, enlarge staff space, add a Maker Lab, add a library specific meeting/ study room, expand the adult collection and study area, expand the children’s area and collection with small program space, relocate the electrical room, and possibly reduce the circulation desk. This, they said, would result in a reduction of congestion at the facility’s entry.
Potential costs include construction of $1,155,000, FFE Costs of $82,500, soft costs of $151,550, and a 5% project contingency of $69,453. The total cost is projected at $1,458,503.
Vercruysse mentioned that the Newcastle Public Library is a hard-working library.
“As the process goes on, we will talk with the community more, and make sure this works for PLS, and make sure this all works for the City,” she said.
West said the board was asking the City to allow PLS to make the improvements to the facility.
She said, “This is with the understanding that the City of Newcastle has a long-term plan which would build a larger joint-use community facility years down the road. We think the additional space to this facility and whatever it may become in its next chapter will still be beneficial to the city.”
When asked about a timeline, Vercruysse said once work is started it’s a six- to nine-month design project, then, probably a nine- to 12-month construction time.
She said, “If all the stars aligned the work would be done by December 2026, but a more probable time line would be completion by spring 2027.”
During comments by City Council members, they showed their pleasure in the anticipated improvements, and then unanimously approved the measure.
