Amy Sibley of Komatsu Architecture of Fort Worth explains highlights of a Lampasas Public Library master plan, while library foundation trustees Jimmy Hammett and Jennifer Ewing and foundation president Sue Lilley listen to the presentation. PHOTO BY JIM LOWE Local officials are laying the groundwork for a bond election next year on a proposed major expansion to the Lampasas Public Library.

The library would increase its volumes from 26,000 to 40,000, and the facility size would go from its present 6,500 square feet to 17,000 square feet.

If approved by voters, the project would be funded primarily by the city, although the Library Foundation of Lampasas, Texas Inc. is expected to make a sizeable financial contribution.

Finances also could come through grants from private foundations. But library foundation trustees say that before private foundations will weigh in on the project, at least a third of the funds need to be committed.

The expansion effort is expected to cost about $4 million, city officials say.

A tax rate increase will be necessary to fund library expansion and/or construction of a civic center, City Manager Michael Stoldt said at a recent meeting with Library Foundation of Lampasas trustees. A civic center will be on the ballot in May 2011, although it can be listed as a separate project from the library work, he said.

At the meeting attended by Stoldt and Mayor Judy Hetherly, Amy Sibley with Komatsu Architecture of Fort Worth reviewed highlights of a master plan paid for by the library foundation.

“This puts everything you asked for in the library,” Ms. Sibley said of the master plan. “This is kind of like best-picture scenario.”

Ms. Sibley, who coordinated the master plan for the architectural firm, said surveys were sent to library patrons.

Respondents ranked technology at the library as a high priority. In addition, they cited the need for a conference room. The city facility once had such a meeting site but, because of increased demand, the room was converted into an adult fiction area. In addition, improvements were made to the children’s literature section.

One of the goals of the master plan is to relieve overcrowding.

“Space for staff is pretty minimal now,” Ms. Sibley told library foundation trustees.

Plans call for more spacious quarters and a break room for library staff, a large circulation desk, a program room that can accommodate 100 people, “a nice area for teens,” a genealogy section and a cafe/break area. A central computer area and two study rooms also are parts of a proposed floor plan.

In addition, the plan includes a spacious lobby that could be used to host functions at night, when the rest of the library is closed.

Other possible new features include a 20-seat conference room, a book sale area, outside patios and a drive-through window where customers can drop off books. For an additional $25,000 to $35,000, an art mural could be painted on an outside wall of the library, Ms. Sibley said.

“It’s very much a possibility,” Ms. Sibley said of a mural.

The library is located at East First and South Main streets. Under a scenario suggested by Komatsu, the building will be expanded toward South Western Street. The library also would gain about 30 parking spaces.

The existing building “pretty much will be gutted,” Ms. Sibley said, during construction of the proposed additions to the library. The expanded facility will be a continuous building with a masonry exterior.

Even if voters approve a bond issue for library expansion, it is possible the project might not be completed for several years, Stoldt said. The delay will allow time for the economy to improve, the city manager said. Because of ongoing

Correction

A recent story about Dianna Hodges, the new chairman for Vision Lampasas!, stated that TJ Mabrey moved up from chairing VL’s economic development committee to the vice president of the board.

The story should have said TJ Monroe is the new vice president of the board of VL!. work on a sports complex and the proposed civic center, Stoldt also said it is important to keep city staff from becoming overextended with capital projects.

Fund-raising efforts and plans to publicize the library expansion will continue as the bond vote nears.

“I think the library’s going to have a pretty good shot,” Stoldt said of the expansion plans.

Dispatch Record staff writer David Lowe also contributed to this report.