Advisory Committee forms in Lyons

The Lyons Public Library Board of Trustees and the recently formed Community Advisory Committee held a planning retreat on May 26, with the purpose of determining the priorities as the Board moves forward with plans for a new library facility.

The Community Advisory Committee is comprised of library staff, supporters, and educators, in addition to representatives from the Lyons business community and local government.

During the four-hour planning retreat, identified priorities were ranked according to importance. The most obvious and apparent priority was that the new library facility must have adequate space for current and future library programs and services as well as house the growing collections. Ideally, there should be space for the children's and young adult's collections and programming that is separate from the fiction and non-fiction collections and adult quiet reading areas.

The design and location of the new library should consider the potential for growth, should expansion become necessary in the future. The next priority identified is that the library building itself should meet the ever-evolving technology needs of the community, particularly in terms of public access computers and computer proficiency education.

The new library should also have group meeting space for both large and small groups as well as quiet study/tutoring areas.

In addition, efficient and convenient staff workspaces should be incorporated into the design of the new library to facilitate the maintenance and supervision of the collections and materials as well as respond to patron needs. Lastly, it is important that the library has a welcoming atmosphere, be accessible to all patrons, regardless of physical ability, be centrally located within walking distance for most village residents, as well as have adequate parking.

Library Board President Jim Frind said, 'The Library Board of Trustees is committed to providing the best library program and services with the resources the community provides. The next step for the Board of Trustees and the Community Advisory Committee is to conduct a cost/benefit analysis of the sites available to the Board as it relates to potential structures that can be built and/or renovated on these sites within the financial constraints imposed by the taxpayers while meeting the priorities as identified.'

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