We plan to break ground in May of 2024 on a construction process that is expected to last until May 2025. The addition to the branch will include:
Teen Center
A real space for teens to be teens. A beautiful new 2,700 sq. ft. teen room will include three (3) study rooms; four (4) free-standing game consoles; book stacks/shelving; and white/smart boards for project planning. With moveable furniture, this room will accommodate reconfiguration to easily service differing age groups and/or interests. The space will also include a staff office and workspace/service desk. This space will be available to all patrons outside of after-school hours.
Maker Space/Creation Lab
Get ready to get your DIY on! A 615 sq. ft. lab will provide opportunities to experience high-tech equipment such as a Glowforge laser engraver, 3D printers, large format scanner & printer, heat-transfer equipment, and vacuum former, as well as audiovisual recording and editing equipment. Patrons of all ages will be able to bring their creative vision to life through equitable access to hands-on learning using the most up-to-date technology.
Meeting Room
A big upgrade to our primary meeting space. We'll be adding a large meeting room seating up to 100 people. It will have appropriate audiovisual equipment to easily facilitate large, in-person programs and presentations. Online presentations with video conferencing will also be made available. In addition, this large meeting space will be used regularly for after-school activities, and a smaller meeting room within the current building will be made available, once again, for additional community meetings.
Demonstration Kitchen
The new meeting room will include a demonstration kitchen containing a sink and induction cooktop, double oven, microwave, refrigerator, and dishwasher. An attractive rolling barn-type door will allow the space to be opened into the meeting room to facilitate cooking classes and nutritional education, as the OSU Extension Office has encouraged us to offer adults, older children, and teens the opportunity to prepare simple meals as part of life-skills learning. The kitchen may also be used for staging and warming food for meetings, government food programs, and/or for volunteers providing after-school snacks.
Laundry Area
A laundry area containing a residential-sized washer and dryer will be built to instruct students on basic laundry skills. In addition, it will be available for teens to use for their laundry. This will assist some students in avoiding the stigma (and social fall-out) of attending school with unlaundered clothes.
Additional Amenities
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Three (3) gender-neutral, handicap-accessible restrooms;
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Three (3) work/study booths in space previously dedicated to teens;
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The current meeting room will be reassigned as a children's craft and programming area;
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Remodel of the original public restrooms left untouched in 2016.
