Committee sees breakdown of potential new library

The new Houston-Love Memorial Library will be more than just a collection of books. The library’s director envisions a community magnet that includes separate sections for adults, teens and children, public meeting rooms, computer labs, a business center, a coffee shop and enough space to adapt to changing technology over the next two decades.

Director Betty Forbus presented conceptual renderings Friday of what a new library could look like during the meeting of the local Library Committee. The renderings, drawn by Davis Architects of Birmingham, allow for a 60,000-square-foot facility with an overall cost of about $16.5 million.

“It is essential that we plan not only for needs today, but what potentially could come on the horizon over the next 20 years,” Forbus said.

Forbus said she has been studying all public libraries which have been built in the last 10 years in Alabama, Florida and Georgia to find common themes and determine what worked and what didn’t. New libraries in Fairhope and Florence in Alabama as well as Panama City in Florida were among those studied. Forbus said several other factors were considered, including discussions with building consultants and data from surveys and demographics projections.

The possible space breakdown for a new library includes 21,000 square feet for books and multi-media, 5,760 square feet for seating, 2,900 square feet for the circulation/checkout area, 2,650 square feet for a community meeting room area, 1,050 square feet for a 21-station computer lab, 1,550 square feet for a business center, coffee shop and a friends book sale room, 1,350 square feet for cassettes for the blind collection, 1,910 square feet for the Bookmobile collection, 8,000 square feet for children’s area and programs, 16,000 square feet for adult services, 5,940 square feet for reference, 1,050 square feet for the teen area and 2,225 square feet for administration.

Committee chairman Taylor Barbaree said there is no way of knowing how the building will be configured until a construction site is determined, but determining space allocation is an essential step.

The committee adjourned into executive session for about 30 minutes to discuss land purchase options. Barbaree said the committee discussed multiple options for land purchase, with each of the properties located inside Ross clark Circle. However, Barbaree said the committee remains open to exploring other potential sites.

Barbaree said the committee does not have the power to purchase land. He said the committee’s purpose is to move the new library project forward and make recommendations to the Houston-Love Memorial Library Board and the Dothan City Commission.

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Conceptual renderings of a new Houston-Love Memorial Library can be seen at http://www.newdothanlibrary.com