LOOKING TO THE FUTURE: A NEW MILLSTADT LIBRARY
Millstadt Library Moves Forward with Plans to Build - and Needs Your Input
MILLSTADT, IL; Tuesday, June 8, 2021: In August 2019, the Library announced its plans to construct a new facility to better serve our community. A lot has happened since then!
The Millstadt Library purchased three acres of land east of the Millstadt Primary Center and west of Illinois 163, across from the local fairgrounds. Sewer and utility lines have been installed and you may have seen surveyors over the winter completing a topographical survey and soil boring tests.
The library spent several months with library consultant and University of Illinois library professor, Dr. Fred Schlipf, who aided in creating a comprehensive program that adhered to the State of Illinois’ library standards based on the Millstadt community and its needs. Using this program and knowledge, the library interviewed several qualified architecture firms. In the end, the library hired Williams Architects of Itasca, Ill. Williams Architects’ incredible knowledge and library building experience has enabled the library to make several specific, but tentative plans for the new library.
With the architect in place and planning underway, the library spent two months researching a construction management firm that would allow the library to create and construct a library that meets the community needs in the most cost-effective way. After a thorough and thoughtful interview process, the library selected Poettker Construction Company from Breese, Ill.
The Millstadt Library is steadily moving forward and reviewing conceptual plans for all the exciting things the new library will be able to offer. There is one thing missing from the plans however, and that is public input! On Tuesday, June 8, anytime between 6:30 p.m. and 8:30 p.m., join the library at the Millstadt VFW Post 7980 to learn more about the project, find out more about the many new and exciting resources being planned and to share your comments, concerns and feedback with the library. Representatives from the architecture and construction management firms will be present to explain preliminary concepts and answer questions about the proposed project in an informal, open house setting.
If you are unable to join the library in person, please visit the library’s website, http://www.millstadt-library.org and select the Google Form (that will be available closer to the event date) to learn more about the upcoming project. You will be able to leave your feedback and comments there as well.
In a statement released in 2019, the library addressed questions about why the current library does not meet community needs in its present location. The main objectives for the new facility are providing space for more materials and more room for programs, events and services and the ability to own and operate the building independently. The unique challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic shined a new light on the library’s restraints as social distancing guidelines forced the library to limit available computers and the number of patrons able to be served inside the library. The library has done its best to accommodate everyone at the present location with the health and safety of its patrons and staff the top concern with all of the decisions.
Libraries are one of the few places in which community members can gather and obtain resources at no or low costs. Through area services, most libraries are connected to one another and library cardholders at these connected libraries are able to use the same facilities and resources. A new library facility does not only impact Millstadt residents, but all surrounding households and communities.
The Millstadt Library is looking forward to the future, knowing that Millstadt is a growing community with growing needs – the library feels this new building aligns with those goals. The Millstadt Library’s overriding goal with this open house is to answer any and all questions thoroughly, share the library’s plans for the future, and relieve any misconceptions or misunderstandings.
The Millstadt Library’s exciting plans for the new facility, such as community meeting rooms, study spaces and designated children’s and teen areas, are proof that the library will be able to create not only a new library, but a true community gathering place. The Millstadt Library’s goal is still to provide a modern, cost-efficient facility that the entire community can enjoy and experience.
Through a grant from the American Library Association, Libraries Transforming Communities and the Association for Rural and Small Libraries, the library is able to host this interactive, socially-distanced event. The Millstadt Library looks forward to showing you the current plans and receiving your feedback. The Millstadt Library looks forward to seeing you at the Millstadt VFW Post 7980 on June 8 between 6:30 p.m. and 8:30 p.m.!
To learn more about everything your Millstadt Library has to offer, please visit our website at http://millstadt-library.org/ or our Facebook page @MillstadtLibrary (https://www.facebook.com/MillstadtLibrary/).
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