Letter to the editor: Design a long-lasting library building

I genuinely hope that the Stark County District Library leadership does a better job of selecting the architect and creating the design for the planned new library than the past board did with the current building.

It wasn’t very many years after it opened in 1978 that the roof/deck started to leak and the parking deck had to be closed to vehicles. It was an edgy and interesting − but in hindsight, poor − design. While the building is probably at the end of its useful lifespan, poor design limited its utility from very early on.

The recently replaced Jackson Branch lasted only half as long, torn down after about 20 years. It was so severely water damaged that a new building was required. Was that also due to design/architectural issues, or poor maintenance?

I hope the library board and leadership take a longer term view when considering the design and construction of the new main library, ensuring an adaptable, long-lasting facility for patrons.

Tim Kraft, Jackson Township

This article originally appeared on The Repository: Letter to the editor: Design a long-lasting library building