The Corvallis-Benton County Public Library is currently in the process of expanding an unused patio area on the second floor, to the right of the information desk. Marketed as a major effort to add much-needed square footage and address the community’s resource needs, the coming changes are set to revitalize the least utilized portion of the building.
Following a thorough space needs assessment and consultations with the Portland-based Woofter Bolch Architecture, the resultant design remodels 2,400 square feet and adds 1,200 square feet to the library’s floor plan, creating more opportunities for functional spaces that are accessible and inviting.
In the center of the new wing will be a cozy reading lounge accompanied by low bookshelves, art, an LED fireplace, and a long wall of windows overlooking the Benton County courthouse. In this room, library users can comfortably read, study, or engage in quiet media usage.
To the left will sit a flexible class space able to fit over a dozen learners and an instructor, complete with modern technology and presentation equipment. This kind of room, which isn’t available in the library’s current floor plan, can be used for lively classes and/or seminars on computer literacy, job search documents, digital photo management, and more.
The rest of the wing will consist of four group rooms available for community use. These can be used for study groups, meetings, small classes, project collaborations, or even options for conducting remote meetings.
These renovations, which are now scheduled to conclude in mid-December, are made possible through the work of the Corvallis-Benton County Library Foundation, community input, and the contributions of generous donors. The City of Corvallis has set aside $494,000 toward this project in its Capital Improvement Program, and now, the Library Foundation is seeking help from the community to secure the remaining funds needed to meet its $500,000 goal.
For those who would like to give to this project and/or track its progress, you can follow this link or reach out to Ashlee Chavez, the Library Director, at ashlee.chavez@corvallisoregon.gov.
By: Emilie Ratcliff
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