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Between 15 and 20 people from the community attended this meeting to discuss their vision for the expanded Douglass-Truth Library. Seattle Public Library Capital Program Director Alexandra Harris opened the meeting with welcoming comments and introductions of Frank Coulter, Library capital project manager overseeing the Douglass-Truth branch; Ray Serebrin, Library director of neighborhood libraries; Lois Fenker, Library director of technical and collections services; Marilyn Sheck, Library director of information technology; Valerie Garrett-Turner, Douglass-Truth Library branch manager; Lisa Richmond, public art project manager, Seattle Arts Commission; the design team of Cima Malek-Aslani and Walter Schacht of Schacht/Aslani Architects, architects for the Douglass-Truth Library expansion; and Barbara Swift of Swift and Co., landscape architect for the Douglass-Truth Library project. Harris also introduced Anita Dias, Mary Henry, Shirley Wilcox and Ellen Judson, members of the Citizen Implementation Review Panel (CIRP), a 15-member panel that provides citizen oversight of Seattle Public Library's Libraries for All building program.
Alexandra Harris explained the intent of this pre-design meeting was for members of the community to share their desires for the expanded library, which is growing from just more than 8,000 to 15,000 square feet. Next, Lois Fenker spoke about her role in Libraries for All and of planning for expanded collections for the larger branches and the new Central Library. Ray Serebrin spoke briefly about developing and expanding library services and programs. Lisa Richmond spoke about the Library's participation in Seattle's 1 Percent for Art program and on incorporating art in libraries as part of Libraries for All. Cima Malek-Aslani and Walter Schacht discussed the library's program for this expansion and identified some of the expansion challenges for this library. Alexandra Harris described the meeting format and explained the meeting would break into four stations. People were invited to circulate around the room to each station and offer ideas and hopes for the expanded library. Additionally, the public asked questions of various staff members and architects:
Q. Will there be a citizen's review committee created to review the progress of the project?
A. Harris outlined the community involvement process the Library has undertaken, explaining that additional presentations would be made to the community at the end of the schematic design and design development phases. She also indicated that progress information would be made available to be posted at the branch, and that the Seattle Public Library board of trustees monthly meeting always included updates for each project within the system. Project updates are also available on the Library's Web site at www.spl.org.Q. What will be the disposition of the African-American Collection during the construction phase of the project?
A. Harris explained that the Library had made plans to move the entire African-American Collection to a temporary, secure storage location operated by the Library during the duration of the construction project.Q. Will the African-American Collection be available during this construction period?
A. Harris replied that the Library had not planned to have the collection available during construction, but she said the Library would be willing to revisit this decision.Q. Will the Library provide an interim site during the closure of Douglass-Truth?
A. Harris explained the Library Board's policy on temporary libraries, and said a decision had not yet been made about how and where to provide library services during construction at Douglass-Truth Library. In general the Library is not providing temporary libraries during construction.Q. Will there be additional parking at the expanded library?
A. Harris explained the parking situation at the Douglass-Truth Library is a difficult problem, which will require a creative solution that addresses the needs of patrons, library staff, and neighbors. In developing a solution, the Library will be working closely with the community, the Department of Construction and Land Use and the Landmarks Preservation Board.The meeting then broke into four sessions on design, collections, services/programs, and art. Those sessions yielded the following comments from members of the public on their hopes and dreams for the expanded Douglass-Truth Library:
Design
- What about parking? Does the city exempt itself (from parking requirements)? Is there flexibility in the parking ordinance?
Answer: The city does not exempt itself from parking requirements. A process is in place whereby any applicant may request a variance from the parking requirements set out in the city code. This process is called a "conditional use."- Important for the children's area to be secure.
- How will a landmarks designation impact the library?
Answer: The Landmarks Preservation Board will review the design of the building to ensure that its historic significance is preserved.- The stained glass window is very important. Don't change the building.
- The African-American Collection deserves a special space.
- Restrooms need hooks and shelves.
- Need secure place to return non-book items.
- Disability access needs to be improved.
- Need elevator to public meeting room.
- Preserve the symmetry of the building.
- Can Library acquire adjacent property for additional parking?
Answer: The budget for the Douglass-Truth Library project does not include land acquisition.- Important to create identifiable spaces.
- In-out parking would be nice.
- Drive-up book drop.
Collections
- African-American Collection needs interim location, and should remain intact when library reopens.
- Retain African-American historical material in reference section.
- African-American genealogy materials especially important for African-American researchers.
- Plantation records on microfilm OK at Central Library, but would be better to have at Douglass-Truth.
- Continue to expand the African-American Collection, especially the historical materials. Replace worn items.
- More materials on history of Central District.
- Have security system for African-American Collection.
- Braille books and materials for sight/hearing impaired patrons.
- More books on tape.
- Subscription to the "New Yorker" magazine.
Art
- Desire for funding for local artists "art partners" program.
- Potential for rotating art projects? Possible system-wide rotation.
- Special cabinet/display for heritage exhibits. Also put heritage information on Web site, if possible.
- Incorporate art into architecture.
- Art to reflect history and demographics of the neighborhood.
- Art from black artists such as Jacob Lawrence, Gwendolyn Knight, James Washington.
- Collection and display of historic photos/materials.
- Mural to capture historic diversity of neighborhood.
- Better picture/explanation of Douglass-Truth name; incorporate into better logo; visual representation of Douglass-Truth in front of building.
Services/programs
- Cooperation with Garfield High School and Washington Middle School for programs, tutoring/testing, high school preparation, homework help, library orientation.
- Small, soundproof rooms.
- Group space for learning.
- Work more with bookstores and businesses; author appearances.
- New assisted-living complex in area may need services.
- Need new meeting room.
- More workshops and training (example: topic of early childhood).
- Separate Internet computers from book environment; would make it easier for classes; separate noisy vs. quiet spaces.
- More study spaces.
- Enclosed space for children's theater; creative, artistic space.
- "Talking" computers.
- Adaptive equipment for disabled patrons.
- Program section.
- Braille materials.
- Everything on all computers.
- English as a second language "Talk Time" program.
- Reservation system for computers.
- Allow patrons to use computers for longer time.
- The best African-American Collection with contemporary, up-to-date material and expanded technology.
- Summer programs.
A few moments were spent recapping highlights from each breakout session. Board President Gordon McHenry Jr. closed the meeting by thanking attendees for taking the time to attend, participate and express their interest in the library. McHenry expressed his excitement about this project and discussed the design process. He assured the gathering the Library would keep the community informed of the project's progress.
The next steps for this project are to begin the design process and report progress back to the community at the end of the schematic design phase, and again at the end of the design development phase. Alexandra Harris noted tonight's comments would be shared with the Library Board, posted to the Seattle Public Library Web site at www.spl.org, and made available in hardcopy in the branch. Harris concluded the meeting by asking people to send comments to Library staff or e-mail the capital program office at capital.program@spl.org or to contact Capital Program Manager Frank Coulter at 615-1621 or by e-mail at frank.coulter@spl.org. The meeting ended at 8:30 p.m.
Content Modified:Content Modified:30 October 2001
12/30/2005
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