Monday night was the first public reveal of the Jefferson Library expansion project conceptual designs, during a joint meeting of the Jefferson City Council and the Jefferson Library Board of Trustees.

Library Director Jane Millard told the standing room only audience in the City Hall Council Chambers that they had been working with Studio Melee for the past nine months to coordinate designs of what the finalized project will look like. 

Melee Co-Owner Curtis Ehler walked through the various sessions that were held to figure out the types of current programs and collections, along with upgrades in technology, accessibility improvements, wayfinding and additional meeting spaces. He said they also wanted to modernize the facility and make it feel fresh but without taking away from the historical significance that the library has within the community.

It was mentioned that the Carnegie building would be renovated into a large meeting space with two restrooms and storage for tables and chairs. Architect Chris Wernimont said the main entrance to the Carnegie and some of the windows that had been closed off would be reopened with new glass. He also said the 1966 addition would remain as the Adult Department, with adding a new office area and break room, two study rooms and a new local history portion. 

Wernimont noted that the new addition would be stacked on top of the 1966 addition with an upper story towards the north of the facility for the youth and teen section that would all be accessible by an elevator. There would also be space for a patio on the south entrance and additional parking towards the northwest once the city acquires the house next to the insurance building. 

Wernimont explained that the total cost of the project was estimated at $5 million and of that $4.1 million was for construction, along with furniture and equipment, contingency and design fees. Previously, a feasibility study was conducted and it was determined that the community felt comfortable with raising $4 million for a library expansion project. Wernimont detailed how they arrived at the $5 million estimated cost.

“It seemed like the needs kind of outweighed the wants, just to think about the future of the library, and the possibility of what the function and the establishment of the community is going to back. Overall, the committee thought the extra funds now may pay dividends in the future, knowing that the past two renovations were (at) a 60 year gap and we’re up against the 60 year mark again. So, they’re thinking, ‘Spend the additional money now, knowing that renovation or addition in the future may be additional years down the road.’”         

It was also mentioned that a basic timeline for construction is about one year, and if services are temporarily moved to accommodate construction, that timeline could be extended to two years. Millard added that the next step would be to engage with the newly established Jefferson Library Foundation to begin the fundraising process.