Little Free Library expected to be up and running by the end of summer
By Dave Fidlin
Correspondent
The on-again, off-again discussion of expanding the Irvin L. Young Memorial Young Library is, well, on again.
In recent months, Library Director Stacey Lunsford has been discussing renewed efforts with the Library Board of Trustees to expand the facility because existing square footage is not deemed adequate to meet the needs of today’s patrons.
The board initially discussed expansion in 2002 at a time when the Young Library building was just a decade old. For the next six years, various components of a possible expansion were added and subtracted before a conceptual plan was drafted.
But that conceptual plan was placed on an indefinite hiatus when the economy began to sour. Five years later, with the economy rebounding, Lunsford and the board have resumed their discussions.
Last month, the library tapped the expertise of LibraryVision, an outside firm that looks at libraries’ needs and helps formulate solutions.
“We’re looking at something more scaled back and smaller from what we had been discussing in 2008,” Lunsford said. “We’re looking at a different configuration and how we can use technology.”
Lunsford readily points out technology has changed and advanced significantly since the first draft of the conceptual plans were created in 2008.
“The new plans will be updated and will be forward-thinking, based on what we know now,” Lunsford said.
During the board’s most recent meeting Monday, specific details continued to be hashed over. Lunsford said the expansion effort will remain a standing agenda item during future meetings.
In addition to technological enhancements, plans are in the works to add a genealogy and history room. Local historian Fred Kraege, who died a month ago, was instrumental in proposing a dedicated area within the library to memorialize the city’s history.
Lunsford said the goal is to present a revised conceptual plan to the Whitewater Common Council before the end of the year.
“We’re all keeping our fingers crossed and hoping no further challenges come along,” Lunsford said.
The Young Library opened in summer 1991 and is a successor to the White Memorial Library, which opened in 1904.
Little Free Library
In other business Monday, the board voted to move forward on plans to install a Little Free Library kiosk. It will be installed on the grounds of the Young Library.
The Little Free Library is a nationwide organization that has provided libraries with wood-made structures used to store a small sampling of books. Patrons have the opportunity to obtain the books from Little Free Library even when the library is not open.
With board approval granted, Lunsford is moving ahead and has ordered a structure through the organization. When it arrives, a local youth group will be asked to decorate Whitewater’s Little Free Library.
“It will be a nice addition,” Lunsford said.
Taking into account shipping time and volunteer hours, Lunsford said she is aiming to have the Little Free Library up and running by the end of the summer.
