Branch Proposal Overview - Boise Public Library

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Branch Proposal Overview - Boise Public Library

Branch Proposal Overview

Proposal Overview: Four Full-Service Branch Libraries

On October 24, 2006, the City Council approved taking a phased-in branch library proposal to the public for input. The proposal puts four full-service branch libraries in key areas throughout Boise. Because of their phased-in timing and scaled-down size, they can be funded within the City's 6-year budget projection.

What Does Full Service Mean?

Although the branches are scaled down from those considered for the recent bond election, they can still loffer a full range of library services, including:

adult and children’s programs
community meeting space
computers and Internet access
books, movies, music, magazines & newspapers
online resources
information and reference services

Scroll down for more information on the proposed libraries and services, the proposed timeline and cost to build and operate.

Proposed Branch Library Locations and Services

parents reading to child The proposal calls for four branch libraries located across Boise, serving the Central Bench, Northwest Boise, West Boise and East Boise. For planning purposes, assumptions were made about services that would be offered, based on typical profiles for full-service libraries of similar size. Service profiles will be modified based on community input during the input period.

	Two Neighborhood Libraries	Two Community Libraries
Locations	Central Bench - site TBD Northwest Boise - site TBD	West Boise - Cole & Ustick East Boise - Bown Crossing
Size	7,500 square feet each	15,000 square feet each
Open Hours	50 hours 5-6 days/week	55 hours 5-6 days/week
Meeting space	1 meeting room (12 people) 1 multi-purpose room (40 people)	1 meeting room (12 people) 1 multi-purpose room (50 people)
Public computers with Internet access	35-40	40-50
Library programs	For children and adults	For children and adults
Reference services	Yes	Yes
Children's area	Yes	Yes
Books, movies, music & other library materials	15-20,000	40-50,000

Proposed Timeline: Four Branches Opened by 2010

boy at computer In order to start providing additional library services as quickly as possible, the Library Facilities Planning Committee recommends opening two leased facilities in late 2007, in the Central Bench and Northwest Boise areas. Construction on the West and East Boise branches would begin in 2007 and 2008 respectively, with those two branches opening in 2009 and 2010.

Timeline	Central Bench Neighborhood Library	Northwest Boise Neighborhood Library	West Boise Community Library	East Boise Community Library
2006/early 2007	Public Input, Plan Refinement
mid-2007	Choose, lease and prepare sites	Choose, lease and prepare sites	Choose architect/ engineer/ contractor	--
late 2007	GRAND OPENING!	GRAND OPENING!	Break ground	--
2008	Full service operation	Full service operation	Construction continues	--
2009	Full service operation	Full service operation	GRAND OPENING!	--
2010	Full service operation	Full service operation	Full service operation	Public review & comment on preliminary design

Best of All, They're Affordable!

Due to their phased-in timing and scaled-down size, the four branch libraries could be funded within the city's 6-year budget projection.

	Central Bench Neighborhood Library	Northwest Boise Neighborhood Library	West Boise Community Library	East Boise Community Library
Location	TBD	TBD	Cole & Ustick (existing site)	Bown Crossing (existing site)
Size	7,500 SF*	7,500 SF*	15,000 SF*	15,000 SF*
Financing	Lease	Lease	New construction	New construction
Estimated furnishings & equipment, capital cost	$640,000 ($85/SF)	$640,000 ($85/SF)	$5,454,600 ($364/SF) includes books, movies, etc.	$5,454,600 ($364/SF) includes books, movies, etc.
Estimated annual operating expense	$700,520	$700,520	$1,078,343	$1,078,343
* Square Feet

Last Updated: 06/02/2010