The Pauline Haass and the Germantown Community libraries want to expand and/or renovate their space. Here is how to provide feedback.
While libraries started out as primarily a place for people to check out books, now they have become much-needed community resources in many ways.
That is what library directors Adele Loria of the Pauline Haass Public Library in Sussex and Trisha Smith of the Germantown Community Library are saying.
Both libraries are seeking community input for new library plans.
Smith said the Germantown Community Library — which primarily serves the Germantown, Richfield and Jackson areas — is working on a five-year strategic plan to better serve the needs of the community.
Loria said that the Pauline Haass Public Library is analyzing its current and future space needs for a renovated or expanded library. A space needs summary and facility assessment have been completed, and now the library is seeking community feedback. Loria said that either option would not be started until 2030 or later, as fundraising takes time.
"We also want to ensure we’re investing appropriately in the current facility in the meantime, and that requires understanding the long-term plans for it," she said.
Smith said this is the Germantown library's first-ever strategic plan. The library was built 20 years ago with the capacity for a functional second floor, but that second floor was never developed, she said.
"There is a need for meeting rooms and quiet study spaces," she added.
"Even with all the digital (items), we are still needing physical space," she said, explaining that STEM programming and crafts programs are popular with all ages. The library also needs space for its collection of books, audiobooks and other, nontraditional items, the library has available, such as games and kit projects.
The same holds true at the Pauline Haass Public Library. One idea, suggested its website, is to grow the physical collections along with the growth of the community. Pauline Haass is also seeing an increased demand for programming, technology equipment, play spaces for families, and room for people to work, study and meet.
Germantown feedback sessions
Community members are encouraged to fill out a survey that will run until Feb. 7 at www.surveymonkey.com/r/GermantownCLSurvey or at www.germantownlibrarywi.org.
Paper copies are also available at the library.
There are also three community conversations at the library, N112W16957 Mequon Road:
6 to 7:30 p.m. Feb. 3
11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Feb. 11
3 to 4:30 p.m. Feb. 11
Pauline Haass feedback opportunities
A meeting is scheduled for 6 p.m. Jan. 31 at the Pauline Haass Public Library, N64W23820 Main St,, Sussex, for the public to provide feedback and ask questions about various solutions, including a renovation, expansion or building a new library.
Those in attendance will be able to vote on which solutions they want the library board and village trustees to consider moving forward. The solutions can be seen at www.phplonline.org/planning-for-the-future.
If you cannot attend the meeting, feedback will be looked at until Jan. 31 at fehdesignsparks.com/pauline-haass-public-library. Loria also said a survey will be compiled for additional community feedback in February.
Loria said that the next likely step after this process would be having a fundraising or feasibility study and to evaluate fundraising options.
Cathy Kozlowicz can be reached at 262-361-9132 or cathy.kozlowicz@jrn.com. Follow her on Twitter at @kozlowicz_cathy.
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This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Libraries in Sussex and Germantown are looking to expand or renovate
