The library board in Normal recently agreed to study a potential new location in Uptown south of the train tracks. Library Director Brian Chase said the analysis will be complex but the end result will be much different than the current library.Chase said a strategic plan and study of the site will allow rethinking of the role of the institution. He said there could be flexible space and flexible programs.
"A new library is not just a bigger box with more books. I think we fight that brand a little bit. A new library is a completely different animal offering some different services we can't offer today, some different spaces we can't offer today," said Chase.
Library Board Chair Jess Ray says that might include taking a page from suburban Chicago area libraries.
"Do we need to add someone like a social worker into the staff mix to accommodate different needs in the community where we are seeing underserved populations and what can we do to help serve those populations," said Ray.
Ray said he is hoping for a five year planning and construction process. That would include private fundraising to go with public money from the Town.
The Normal Public Library circulated more than 670,000 items last year. Director Brian Chase says there are nearly 31,000 cardholders. More than 11,000 of them have used their cards in the last twelve months.
