Schlessman Library Temporary Closure for Renovations

Schlessman Library will temporarily close on January 20 for renovations. The Schlessman Family Branch Library community conversation was held in July 2016 and brought residents from Lowry together with library staff to discuss the future of the area. Lowry residents want a peaceful and safe community for children and desire to create a community where neighbors know one another. Attendees expressed concern about existing safety and security and a lack of available resources for families of different ethnic and economic backgrounds. Overall, residents opined for the ideal of Lowry as a planned, safe and walkable community. The renovation project includes:

• Increase square footage with an addition to improve the service point for technology and service models
• Updating/relocating community room
• Exploring new arrangements for flexible learning spaces
• Redesigning the children’s area
• Modifying material shelving arrangement
• Redesigning staff rooms
• Exploring new arrangements for computers/mobile device access
• Exterior improvements to research and repair leaking titanium façade panels, replacing the roof, addressing landscaping, sidewalk and exterior lighting
• Improvements to building systems including HVAC
• Reducing solar gain on east and south curtain wall, life safety, surveillance and access controls, electrical, data, and communication systems
• Provide new interior finishes, furniture, fixtures, and signage
• Compliance with current ADA requirements

Current State

The Schlessman Family Branch Library was constructed in 2000 and the interior shows wear and tear from almost 20 years of high use. The interior is designed for library usage patterns popular a couple of decades ago and does not meet the needs of one of the busiest branches in the system. Most of the floor space is dedicated to fixed tall shelving housing large circulating collections, furniture for reading and study and large service desks designed for staff tasks related to receiving and checking out materials. Community room space and equipment are conducive primarily for presentations and group meeting purposes. Staff workspaces are not arranged efficiently, not ergonomically designed do not take into consideration space for new staff resulting from increased hours in the last several years.

Public and staff restrooms are not accessibility-compliant, do not address gender neutral accommodations and need refreshing. Some of the building systems and components are outdated including electrical, lighting, and telecommunications, mechanical, and heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems. Security and card access systems need to be upgraded. Data, power and furniture are lacking for access to high speed broadband available for customers to connect to the internet using their mobile devices and public access computers. Compliance with current accessibility, building code, and sustainability requirements are an issue. Facility square footage is too small for service area population demand for services. Landscaping, parking lot and sidewalk issues have not been addressed with annual maintenance funds. The metal siding needs restoration and the roof needs to be replaced.

Future State

The role of a modern branch library has shifted to be an active community space. Floor plans are reconfigured increasing space for learning, making, creating, meeting and collaborating. Self-service options for checking out and ordering materials are conveniently located near staff service desks. The children’s area has a literacy packed play space where parents and staff work together to prepare young children to learn and read.

A space functioning as a makerspace and digital and/or traditional media center where all ages can gather to create, invent and learn is available. Easy, quick access to the internet is available throughout the library. Community and conference rooms are transformed into flexible multi-function spaces with the power, data, technology and sound systems to support out-of-school learning, adult classes, meetings, collaboration, cultural programming and community events. Staff workspaces are larger and efficiently organized. Public and staff restrooms are refreshed and meet access requirements. The facility is a safer place for customers and staff. Building systems and components are new and improved. All accessibility, building code and sustainability requirements are in compliance. Exterior facade is restored and site issues are improved. The square footage is increased with an addition.

One of DPL’s most popular branch libraries is in need of renovations! Though the renovation was initially funded in 2017 through a city bond, increased construction and labor costs and inflation require additional funding to complete the project at its original scope.

The renovations will include an improved community room on the first level, a brand-new teen space, a larger children’s library, and enhancements throughout the library that make spaces easier to access and use. But additional amenities will have to be cut from the project without additional funding. To find more information visit dplfriends.org/schlessman.