The Emporia Public Library needs more space. The question is how to create that space — or whether the library has to find that space elsewhere, which is becoming the more likely option.
Library director Robin Newell says the discussion about space has been underway for a couple years, but recently the library began a “discovery phase” to determine exactly how to move forward.
As an example, Newell says Children’s Storytime events have become much more interactive over time, which changes the space requirements by itself and does not account for other age groups like elementary school students, tweens or high schoolers. There is also the need for a computer lab and an expanded media room.
Newell’s ideal solution?
The library plans to sit down with Emporia city commissioners later to lay out plans.
