Residents patiently awaiting the opening of the renovated Simsbury Public Library

• Library Director Susan Bullock
• Program Consultant Nolan Lushington
• Architect Dale Cutler, Kenyon and Cutler Architects, Avon
• Project Manager James Russo
• Contractor W.J. Mountford
• Movers Amodio Movers
• Technology Consultant Gary Feld, Information Technology Management
• Building Total 42,600; Original 1985, 23,000 sq. ft.; Addition 2008, 19,600 sq. ft.
• Project Cost Total $7.5M; Simsbury $5.6M; State grant $500K; Other $1.4M
• Construction Time 12 months
• Population 24,000

Temporary Library Nine years of planning and implementation culminated on June 8, 2008 in the Grand Opening of the renovated and expanded Simsbury Public Library. More than 1,000 people attended the event, which included a parade, a group hug of the 42,000 sq. ft. building, and performances by local talent.

In 2006, Simsbury residents voted, by a margin of two to one, to expand and renovate the library. The renovation was necessitated by extensive community use; Simsbury Public Library has one of the highest per capita circulations in the state and, in 2002, was listed in the Hennen Index as one of the top 100 public libraries in the country.

The renovated, two-story red brick building enjoys an abundance of natural light, expansive as well as intimate interior spaces, large bay windows, a grand staircase, a beautifully appointed courtyard, and murals depicting scenes from the town. Set in grounds originally planned by Frederick Law Olmsted, the library is located in the town center, contributing to the vitality of the area by drawing both residents and visitors downtown.

The Children’s Area (doubled in size)

• Science and Discovery Center—a program room where children can experiment with math and science
• Baby Room—a soft, clean space for our youngest patrons to attend lapsit programs, and a convenient place for nursing Moms
• Reading Nook—a large, brightly-cushioned window seat area away from the crowds
• Children’s Media Hub—displays and promotes children’s media, listening and viewing stations for media use
• Computer Play Stations—an introduction to computers for pre-schoolers
• Study and Homework Center—for grades 4-6, featuring study tables, comfortable seating and computers
• Pre-school Play and Parent Area—a space for cooperative play, with age-appropriate toys and furniture and comfortable seating for parents
• Parent and Child Reading Area—comfortable seating, age appropriate materials and parenting collections
• Game Center—a four-computer hub for web-based gaming

• Teen Space—equipped with cool seating and a large LCD panel for gaming and videos, with sound control managed at the circulation desk
• Technology Learning Center—a 20-computer instruction center for hands-on learning. Classes start in September and are targeted to job seekers, entrepreneurs, seniors and students. When not in use for classes, the TLC is the main cluster of computers available for public use.
• Media Wing—a 3,400 sq. ft. area dedicated to new materials and new formats, which also serves as the main lounge area in the library
• Friends Café—with soon-to-come bistro seating
• Fireside Reading Area—features a gas fireplace with comfortable seating adjacent to the Friends Café.
• Quiet Study—24 individually lighted and wired carrels along the perimeter of the building.
• Business Resource Center—includes the business collections, print and online; the office of the business outreach librarian; two work/study rooms where business people may use laptops and cell phones simultaneously; a small conference room with a flat panel LCD that can be reserved by business people making presentations to their clients.

• Program Room—for 150 people, with built-in presentation equipment and surround sound. Also features a picture hanging system continued into adjacent corridors to form a large gallery
• Conference Rooms—two rooms for 12 people each

• Electronic Bulletin Boards—for posting library events and meetings
• Flat LCD Panels—for gaming, videos and computer presentations
• Mobile Printable Whiteboard
• Smart Board—in the Technology Learning Center and a mobile smart board that can be moved wherever needed
• Phone System with Voice Over IP—and paging system, hand-held phones at service desks to improve staff mobility
• Wireless Capability—throughout the building

There is also a drive up book drop, a total of 107 parking spaces, and a 3,400 sq. ft. area for future expansion. Library staffing has not been increased although the building almost doubled in size. Sight lines for supervision are excellent throughout the building. A security system has been installed in the meeting rooms and at entrances and remote areas so that staff can use this tool as needed.

Original plans called for inclusion of a radio frequency identification (RFID) system for self check-in and check out. Although funding could not stretch to cover this $200,000 expense, the building is RFID ready. The library has applied for a HUD grant to fund this project, which is seen as essential if staffing costs are not to increase.

The library has a staff of 21 FTE (14 FT and 23 PT). It is open 68 hours/week, including evenings and weekends through most of the year. More than 200 volunteers complement the staff’s work and ensure that we have a vibrant, well-funded, full-service library.

The library’s mission is to make it easier for residents of all ages to adapt to their changing world, whether it is a preschooler getting ready to enter the school system, a college graduate applying for his first job, an adult undergoing divorce, an entrepreneur starting a business, a spouse facing Alzheimer’s, or a baby boomer planning to retire. Through freely available materials and programs, we connect people to resources, information, and other people who can help them.

Contact Susan Bullock at sbullock@simsburylibrary.info or 860-658-7663 x2103.

Reported by: Susan Bullock