Public Libraries: Capital Needs Assessment for Rural Distressed Counties

Aalfs, Matt; Rosa-Lopez, Claudia; Lippai, Sarah

From the introduction: "Public libraries play a central role in the life and health of our communities. In addition to access to books, public libraries provide a wide range of services and support, including internet services and computer access, digital resources, meeting space, early literacy and language programs, after-school programs, senior services, and voter registration and ballot boxes. In many parts of the state, especially in small towns and rural areas, the local public library is the primary, and in some cases the only, public space that is accessible and free. In short, along with public schools and emergency services, are the foundation of our communities. It is essential to invest in public libraries. Libraries are third places; a location that is not a home or work that provides opportunities for social interaction and engagement while establishing a sense of place and community. Libraries provide services that would otherwise be unavailable to the public. Yet libraries are historically underfunded. Many public libraries suffer from decades of deferred maintenance, resulting in poor lighting, leaking roofs, and inadequate HVAC for hot and cold weather. Lack of funding often shuffles libraries into tiny spaces or force libraries to share spaces with other public entities. The lack of a proper sized space is a detriment to the services and opportunities that a public library is able to offer its community. Without adequate spaces, public libraries are unable to designate areas for computers leading to limited or no public computer accessibility, libraries are unable to offer space specifically for children or teens, limiting the opportunities to programs designed to promote childhood development and makerspaces for teens; and due to space constraints libraries may even lack accessibility features such as ADA compliant entryways or restroom facilities that limit (often to those whom need it most) who can receive library services. The capital needs assessment of public libraries in rural distressed Washington counties beings to redress the deficient funding of these libraries. The report provides information on improvement needs and a budget estimate for each library surveyed. This will assist the Washington State Legislature's development of a statewide grant program to support these libraries and their communities. In addition, a library's assessment report may be used by local library districts, library advocates, and library patrons and staff to prioritize improvements and begin funding initiatives for necessary building improvements, services increases, and possible renovations, expansions, or the construction of a new library building. This report provides only a general condition assessment of a library's physical and programmatic needs. Once deciding to undertake an improvement process, libraries should employ a design professional to obtain an updated list of improvements needs and cost estimate." Project funding was provided in part by a Historic Preservation Fund grant to the Washington State Department of Archaeology & Historic Preservation, administered by the State, Tribal, Local Plans and Grants division, National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior (grant number P19AF00031).

Public Libraries: Capital Needs Assessment for Rural Distressed Counties

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