Cedar Rapids PTA Council Supports New Library with Penny Drive

Letter to the editor: C.R. Public Library important to our future. (Cedar Rapids Gazette, 9/17/2011)

Excerpt: The new Cedar Rapids Public Library will offer options for children to improve their reading abilities. As members of the Cedar Rapids City Council PTA, we recognize that we have a responsibility to prepare the children of our community for the rest of their lives. The City Council PTA also understands the importance of educating all ages.

The Cedar Rapids Public Library is a way to create an encouraging environment for our children. The City PTA Council is supporting the new library by providing information to local school PTA units regarding a Penny Drive. Each school then has an opportunity to join in the campaign to fund the library.

Related posts:
Contracts sent out for bid.  (8/30/2011)
A "progressive and forward-looking design".  (1/11/2011)
FEMA sez it can't support site for new Cedar Rapids library. (9/16/2010)
New library construction will include old bricks.  (8/18/2010)
Library circulation plummets at temporary location.  (8/6/2010)
Library staff looking at the best design ideas. (5/6/2010)
For sale, old library, needs work.  (4/9/2010)
Site Selection Raises Ethics Concerns.  (2/9/2010)
Cedar Rapids Library Board to Recommend Site for New Library. (01/26/2010)
FEMA Reconsiders, Decides Library Provides an Essential Service. (12/24/2009)
Hide and Seek: Downtown Cedar Rapids Satellite Branch Library. (11/30/2009)
Early Days of Cedar Rapids Public Library. (11/20/2009)

"And that's where we are" @ the Cedar Rapids Public Library

New library plans for an ever-changing digital world. (Cedar Rapids Gazette, 8/5/2012)

Excerpt: “I’d be highly surprised if the ‘e’ environment does nothing to us,” [Library Director Bob] Pasicznyuk said. “That would be odd. I think it’s just untenable that it’s not going to affect our business.”

Equally hard to imagine, he noted, is that the traditional paper book will vanish from the scene. “

It’s not just going from one to the other and, like, next year there are no (paper) books and we’re on ‘e,’” he said. “We’re in the middle of a transition and, in life, I’ve always found the transitional to be particularly challenging. “And that’s where we are.”

Some basic facts about the new Cedar Rapids Public Library.

Cost:  $46,000,000

Square footage:  94,000 (9,000 sq. ft. larger than flood-ravaged facility).

Collection size:  250,000 volumes.

Public access computers:  100

Meeting room space:

• Auditorium
• 175-seat meeting room
• 15 other civic spaces
• Children’s programming room

Related posts:
Construction time lapse. (8/3/2012)
Groundbreaking celebration.  (5/2/2012)
Construction update.  (12/1/2012)
Construction of new library starts December 5.  (10/14/2011)
Cedar Rapids PTA Council supports new library with penny drive. (9/19/2011)
Contracts sent out for bid.  (8/30/2011)
A "progressive and forward-looking design".  (1/11/2011)
FEMA sez it can't support site for new Cedar Rapids library. (9/16/2010)
New library construction will include old bricks.  (8/18/2010)
Library circulation plummets at temporary location.  (8/6/2010)
Library staff looking at the best design ideas. (5/6/2010)
For sale, old library, needs work.  (4/9/2010)
Site Selection Raises Ethics Concerns.  (2/9/2010)
Cedar Rapids Library Board to Recommend Site for New Library. (01/26/2010)
FEMA Reconsiders, Decides Library Provides an Essential Service. (12/24/2009)
Hide and Seek: Downtown Cedar Rapids Satellite Branch Library. (11/30/2009)
Early Days of Cedar Rapids Public Library. (11/20/2009)

Construction Update: Cedar Rapids Public Library

LINK

Cedar Rapids Public Library enters next phase of construction project. (Cedar Rapids Gazette, 11/30/2011)

Excerpt: Before demolition can begin, everything that can be recycled from inside the former TrueNorth building will be removed from the site. Recycling and re-purposing materials earns the library project points towards the goal of platinum certification in the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) rating system. This means everything from doors to toilets to electrical fixtures will be recycled, with the goal to keep 90 percent of the materiel from the former TrueNorth building out of the landfill.

Demolition is anticipated to begin after the first of the year.

The library will host a community celebration in March to mark the beginning of the next phase of construction.

Related posts:
Construction of new library starts December 5.  (10/14/2011)
Cedar Rapids PTA Council supports new library with penny drive. (9/19/2011)
Contracts sent out for bid.  (8/30/2011)
A "progressive and forward-looking design".  (1/11/2011)
FEMA sez it can't support site for new Cedar Rapids library. (9/16/2010)
New library construction will include old bricks.  (8/18/2010)
Library circulation plummets at temporary location.  (8/6/2010)
Library staff looking at the best design ideas. (5/6/2010)
For sale, old library, needs work.  (4/9/2010)
Site Selection Raises Ethics Concerns.  (2/9/2010)
Cedar Rapids Library Board to Recommend Site for New Library. (01/26/2010)
FEMA Reconsiders, Decides Library Provides an Essential Service. (12/24/2009)
Hide and Seek: Downtown Cedar Rapids Satellite Branch Library. (11/30/2009)
Early Days of Cedar Rapids Public Library. (11/20/2009)

Cedar Rapids Public Library's Growing Budget Gap

 Cedar Rapids Public Library

Exciting library plan needs budget fix. (Cedar Rapids Gazette editorial, 6/25/2011)

Excerpt: Behind all that anticipation and excitement is a nagging issue that planners, city leaders and citizens must begin addressing. When a new library opens, the city’s library system will face a sizable gap in its operating budget. An operating shortfall loomed even before the flood hit. And once staffing is ramped up to pre-flood levels to run a new library, that problem will only grow. Library Director Bob Pasicznyuk says the annual operating gap will be in the neighborhood of $1 million.

Building a new facility without accounting for its ongoing operating costs is the sort of thing that raises the ire of taxpayers. Discussions on how best to cover the gap should begin now.

Related articles:
A 'progressive and forward-looking design'.  (1/11/11)
FEMA sez it can't support site for new Cedar Rapids library. (9/16/2010)
New library construction will include old bricks.  (8/18/2010)
Library circulation plummets at temporary location.  (8/6/2010)
Library staff looking at the best design ideas. (5/6/2010)
For sale, old library, needs work.  (4/9/2010)
Site Selection Raises Ethics Concerns.  (2/9/2010)
Cedar Rapids Library Board to Recommend Site for New Library. (01/26/2010)
FEMA Reconsiders, Decides Library Provides an Essential Service. (12/24/2009)
Hide and Seek: Downtown Cedar Rapids Satellite Branch Library. (11/30/2009)
Early Days of Cedar Rapids Public Library. (11/20/2009)

Cedar Rapids Public Library Grand Opening

Gallery: Cedar Rapids Library Grand Opening Gallery. (Cedar Rapids Gazette, 8/24/2013)

Here's what the former library looked like in June 2008.


Other CRPL posts:
Grand opening is August 24.  (8/13/2013)
High hopes for new Cedar Rapids Library, not so much for operating funds, (2/11/2013)
And that's where we are.  (8/5/2012)
Construction time lapse. (8/3/2012)
Groundbreaking celebration.  (5/2/2012)
Construction update.  (12/1/2012)
Construction of new library starts December 5.  (10/14/2011)
Cedar Rapids PTA Council supports new library with penny drive. (9/19/2011)
Contracts sent out for bid.  (8/30/2011)
A "progressive and forward-looking design".  (1/11/2011)
FEMA sez it can't support site for new Cedar Rapids library. (9/16/2010)
New library construction will include old bricks.  (8/18/2010)
Library circulation plummets at temporary location.  (8/6/2010)
Library staff looking at the best design ideas. (5/6/2010)
For sale, old library, needs work.  (4/9/2010)
Site Selection Raises Ethics Concerns.  (2/9/2010)
Cedar Rapids Library Board to Recommend Site for New Library. (01/26/2010)
FEMA Reconsiders, Decides Library Provides an Essential Service. (12/24/2009)
Hide and Seek: Downtown Cedar Rapids Satellite Branch Library. (11/30/2009)
Early Days of Cedar Rapids Public Library. (11/20/2009)

Cedar Rapids Public Library Staff Looking at the Best for Design Ideas

Link to May 6 Cedar Rapids Gazette article, "Library staff visit libraries across the country for ideas".

Excerpt: Staff from the Cedar Rapids Public Library have been visiting libraries across the country to get ideas for the new library.

What they’re finding is in line with the kind of library we described in The Gazette in a February story about the future library.

Library staff have visited the Darien, Conn., library, and a series of libraries around Denver. Next week they go to Springfield, Mo. The trips are paid for by The Library Foundation.

“We made a proposal that we wanted to look at the best libraries in the country for ideas,” Library Director Bob Pasicznyuk said. “They granted us the money for the trip.”

Related articles:
For sale, old library, needs work.  (4/9/2010)
Site Selection Raises Ethics Concerns.  (2/9/2010)
Cedar Rapids Library Board to Recommend Site for New Library. (01/26/2010)
FEMA Reconsiders, Decides Library Provides an Essential Service. (12/24/2009)
Hide and Seek: Downtown Cedar Rapids Satellite Branch Library. (11/30/2009)
Early Days of Cedar Rapids Public Library. (11/20/2009)

High Hopes for New Cedar Rapids Library, Not So Much for Operating Funds

Walk-and-read treadmills! Perhaps staff will work at treadmills desks? 

High hopes for new Cedar Rapids library. (Cedar Rapids Gazette, 2/10/2013)

Excerpt: Yes, the new library — 11 percent larger than its flooded predecessor but seemingly much bigger, with a roof garden plaza, three walk-and-read treadmills, three fireplaces and a cafe with drive-up window — still will have plenty of printed books even as the rush from print books to electronic books is moving nearly as fast as workers can put on the finishing touches so the new library can open in August.

Funding remains concern for new Cedar Rapids libraries.  (Cedar Rapids Gazette, 2/10/2013)

Cuz this is no way to fund a library.

According to the city manager’s budget proposal, the city will put $500,000 in revenue from the city’s local-option sales tax for flood recovery into the library construction budget, and the library board will take $500,000 in private donations intended for construction and use the money for the next budget year’s operation. In addition, the library will use unspent money from its current budget and the city will pay up to $112,000 from general city funds to provide technical maintenance help at the library.

On the plus side, the $49,000,000 will be paid for when it opens in August of this year.  That's right, $0 debt.

Related posts:
And that's where we are.  (8/5/2012)
Construction time lapse. (8/3/2012)
Groundbreaking celebration.  (5/2/2012)
Construction update.  (12/1/2012)
Construction of new library starts December 5.  (10/14/2011)
Cedar Rapids PTA Council supports new library with penny drive. (9/19/2011)
Contracts sent out for bid.  (8/30/2011)
A "progressive and forward-looking design".  (1/11/2011)
FEMA sez it can't support site for new Cedar Rapids library. (9/16/2010)
New library construction will include old bricks.  (8/18/2010)
Library circulation plummets at temporary location.  (8/6/2010)
Library staff looking at the best design ideas. (5/6/2010)
For sale, old library, needs work.  (4/9/2010)
Site Selection Raises Ethics Concerns.  (2/9/2010)
Cedar Rapids Library Board to Recommend Site for New Library. (01/26/2010)
FEMA Reconsiders, Decides Library Provides an Essential Service. (12/24/2009)
Hide and Seek: Downtown Cedar Rapids Satellite Branch Library. (11/30/2009)
Early Days of Cedar Rapids Public Library. (11/20/2009)

Groundbreaking Celebration @ the Cedar Rapids Public Library

But asbestos removal pushes back anticipated opening date to August 2013.

From the Cedar Rapids Gazette, 4/30/2012.

Excerpt: Initially, the city’s library board had estimated that the cost to remove asbestos as part of the site demolition would be $42,916 and that the new library would open in June 2013. 

However, a month ago, the library board approved the spending of an additional $1.3 million for the 
additional asbestos-removal costs, which now have climbed to a total of $1,766,014. A month ago, the library opening date was moved into from June to July 2013. 

Bob Pasicznyuk, the city’s library director, on Monday said the complications of asbestos removal have moved the library’s projected opening date back even further, to the end of August 2013. 

“It’s the time it took to prepare the site,” Pasicznyuk said. “Our asbestos removal has lasted that long. We’ve lost about 10 weeks. … It’s something we had to deal with. But we didn’t let it get us down.” 

Excavation at the new library site uncovered a large amount of asbestos-tainted debris from the Washington School built in 1855 and the Washington High School built in 1890, which once sat on the site.

Related posts:
Construction update.  (12/1/2012)
Construction of new library starts December 5.  (10/14/2011)
Cedar Rapids PTA Council supports new library with penny drive. (9/19/2011)
Contracts sent out for bid.  (8/30/2011)
A "progressive and forward-looking design".  (1/11/2011)
FEMA sez it can't support site for new Cedar Rapids library. (9/16/2010)
New library construction will include old bricks.  (8/18/2010)
Library circulation plummets at temporary location.  (8/6/2010)
Library staff looking at the best design ideas. (5/6/2010)
For sale, old library, needs work.  (4/9/2010)
Site Selection Raises Ethics Concerns.  (2/9/2010)
Cedar Rapids Library Board to Recommend Site for New Library. (01/26/2010)
FEMA Reconsiders, Decides Library Provides an Essential Service. (12/24/2009)
Hide and Seek: Downtown Cedar Rapids Satellite Branch Library. (11/30/2009)
Early Days of Cedar Rapids Public Library. (11/20/2009)

LINK

Cedar Rapids Public Library Offers Free Music Downloads Via Freegal

Link to September 9 Cedar Rapids Gazette article, "Cedar Rapids library offering free music downloads".

Excerpt: The Cedar Rapids Public Library has introduced Freegal, a service for cardholders that offers access to songs from Sony Music’s catalog of legendary artists. The service will allow the Cedar Rapids Public Library to increase the size and diversity of its collection by offering access to hundreds of thousands of songs.

Card holders of the Cedar Rapids Public Library can download up to three Sony Music tracks in the MP3 format each week at no cost via the Cedar Rapids Library website.

Cedar Rapids Circulation Plummets at Temporary Location

Link to August 6 Cedar Rapids Gazette article, "Despite positive library trends, post-flood circulation down 42 percent".

Excerpt:   There is some good trend news at the Cedar Rapids Public Library, but the latest statistics serve as a reminder, too, of why library lovers in Cedar Rapids are eager for the new $45.5-million library project to get built and opened in 2012.

Leon Green, the library’s computer information services manager, told the library board this week that library use was 23 percent higher this June than last June and 30 percent higher for the fiscal year that ended June 30 compared to the post-flood year that ended last June 30.

Even so, circulation at the library, which is operating out of temporary quarters at Westdale Mall with a small storefront presence in the downtown, is 42 percent lower than the year before the June 2008 flood destroyed the city’s main library, Green said.

Related articles:
Library staff looking at the best design ideas. (5/6/2010)
For sale, old library, needs work.  (4/9/2010)
Site Selection Raises Ethics Concerns.  (2/9/2010)
Cedar Rapids Library Board to Recommend Site for New Library. (01/26/2010)
FEMA Reconsiders, Decides Library Provides an Essential Service. (12/24/2009)
Hide and Seek: Downtown Cedar Rapids Satellite Branch Library. (11/30/2009)
Early Days of Cedar Rapids Public Library. (11/20/2009)

Cedar Rapids Public Library Board Votes on Site for New Library

Link to February 5 Cedar Rapids Gazette report, "Corbett unsure how City Council will vote on library site".

Excerpt: Mayor Ron Corbett on Friday said he has no idea how the nine-member City Council will vote later this month on the site for a new $45-million-plus public library.

For his part, Corbett has publicly said he would like to see the city’s new library built on the block that used to house the Emerald Knights Drum and Bugle Corps — between First and Second Avenues and Seventh and Eighth Streets SE.

On Friday, though, Corbett said he is eager now to hear why the library board gave the Emerald Knights’ site the most backing a month ago, and why on Thursday board members — who stated a 5-3 preference followed by a unanimous formal vote — ranked the Gazette Communications block as its first choice, the Emeralds Knights block as second choice.

The library board will present its recommendation on the library site to the City Council at the council’s Wednesday meeting. Corbett said the council is now scheduled to choose a site two weeks later.

Link to Cedar Rapids Library Board Makes Final Recommendation to Council from CRPL website.


Related articles

Cedar Rapids Library Board to Recommend Site for New Library. (01/26/2010)

FEMA Reconsiders, Decides Library Provides an Essential Service. (12/24/2009)

Hide and Seek: Downtown Cedar Rapids Satellite Branch Library. (11/30/2009)

Early Days of Cedar Rapids Public Library. (11/20/2009)

New Cedar Rapids Public Library Grand Opening is August 24

Artist rendering

An April 2013 construction progress video.


Other CRPL posts:
High hopes for new Cedar Rapids Library, not so much for operating funds, (2/11/2013)
And that's where we are.  (8/5/2012)
Construction time lapse. (8/3/2012)
Groundbreaking celebration.  (5/2/2012)
Construction update.  (12/1/2012)
Construction of new library starts December 5.  (10/14/2011)
Cedar Rapids PTA Council supports new library with penny drive. (9/19/2011)
Contracts sent out for bid.  (8/30/2011)
A "progressive and forward-looking design".  (1/11/2011)
FEMA sez it can't support site for new Cedar Rapids library. (9/16/2010)
New library construction will include old bricks.  (8/18/2010)
Library circulation plummets at temporary location.  (8/6/2010)
Library staff looking at the best design ideas. (5/6/2010)
For sale, old library, needs work.  (4/9/2010)
Site Selection Raises Ethics Concerns.  (2/9/2010)
Cedar Rapids Library Board to Recommend Site for New Library. (01/26/2010)
FEMA Reconsiders, Decides Library Provides an Essential Service. (12/24/2009)
Hide and Seek: Downtown Cedar Rapids Satellite Branch Library. (11/30/2009)
Early Days of Cedar Rapids Public Library. (11/20/2009)

"A Progressive and Forward-looking" Design for Cedar Rapids' New Downtown Library

OPN rendering

Link to January 10 Cedar Rapids Gazette article, "Architect says new Cedar Rapids library is one of a kind".

Excerpt: It was all superlatives last week from the city’s library board and library director at the long-awaited unveiling of the exterior design of the new downtown facility.

“Spectacular,” said Susan McDermott, one of two library board members on the design team.

“We wanted you to feel like you could sink into this place, and at the same time we wanted to be a 21st-century library,” added Library Director Bob Pasicznyuk.

By week’s end, Bradd Brown, lead architect on the project for OPN Architects Inc. of Cedar Rapids, weighed in, saying the building will be like no other in the city except for this: It will share with other new, post-flood-era public buildings being built here — most of which OPN has a hand in being “progressive and forward-looking.”

Related articles:
FEMA sez it can't support site for new Cedar Rapids library. (9/16/2010)
New library construction will include old bricks.  (8/18/2010)
Library circulation plummets at temporary location.  (8/6/2010)
Library staff looking at the best design ideas. (5/6/2010)
For sale, old library, needs work.  (4/9/2010)
Site Selection Raises Ethics Concerns.  (2/9/2010)
Cedar Rapids Library Board to Recommend Site for New Library. (01/26/2010)
FEMA Reconsiders, Decides Library Provides an Essential Service. (12/24/2009)
Hide and Seek: Downtown Cedar Rapids Satellite Branch Library. (11/30/2009)
Early Days of Cedar Rapids Public Library. (11/20/2009)

New Cedar Rapids Library Construction Will Include Old Bricks

Link to August 18 Cedar Rapids Gazette article, "Sinclair bricks to be used in new library".

Excerpt: Cedar Rapids Public Library’s spokeswoman Amber Mussman reports this morning that the library has received four pallets of bricks from the historic Sinclair smokestack, which the library will incorporate into its new downtown facility to be built across from Greene Square Park on Fourth Avenue SE.

Library Director Bob Pasicznyuk says the library wants to use the bricks because it wants to build a new library that reflects the history and values of the community.


Related articles:
Library circulation plummets at temporary location.  (8/6/2010)
Library staff looking at the best design ideas. (5/6/2010)
For sale, old library, needs work.  (4/9/2010)
Site Selection Raises Ethics Concerns.  (2/9/2010)
Cedar Rapids Library Board to Recommend Site for New Library. (01/26/2010)
FEMA Reconsiders, Decides Library Provides an Essential Service. (12/24/2009)
Hide and Seek: Downtown Cedar Rapids Satellite Branch Library. (11/30/2009)
Early Days of Cedar Rapids Public Library. (11/20/2009)

FEMA Sez It Can't Support Site for New Cedar Rapids Library

Link to September 15 Cedar Rapids Gazette article,

Excerpt:   A lightning bolt of complication has hit the city’s plans to build a new public library to replace its flood-ruined one.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency has concluded that it can’t now financially support the city’s chosen site for the new library – now occupied by TrueNorth Companies across Fourth Avenue SE from Greene Square Park – because it is too expensive based on a “benefit-cost analysis” tied to the National Flood Insurance Program requirements, Mayor Ron Corbett said this afternoon.

Building a new library on either of two other sites that the city had considered for a new library also is too costly, the mayor said FEMA has concluded.

Furthermore, he said FEMA has now suggested what the Cedar Rapids library board long ago rejected — that the city demolish the existing library on First Street SE and replace it on the site with a new library built one-foot higher in the flood plain than the old one.

Related articles:
New library construction will include old bricks.  (8/18/2010)
Library circulation plummets at temporary location.  (8/6/2010)
Library staff looking at the best design ideas. (5/6/2010)
For sale, old library, needs work.  (4/9/2010)
Site Selection Raises Ethics Concerns.  (2/9/2010)
Cedar Rapids Library Board to Recommend Site for New Library. (01/26/2010)
FEMA Reconsiders, Decides Library Provides an Essential Service. (12/24/2009)
Hide and Seek: Downtown Cedar Rapids Satellite Branch Library. (11/30/2009)
Early Days of Cedar Rapids Public Library. (11/20/2009)

Cedar Rapids Public Library Construction Time Lapse

LINK

LINK

Related posts:
Groundbreaking celebration.  (5/2/2012)
Construction update.  (12/1/2012)
Construction of new library starts December 5.  (10/14/2011)
Cedar Rapids PTA Council supports new library with penny drive. (9/19/2011)
Contracts sent out for bid.  (8/30/2011)
A "progressive and forward-looking design".  (1/11/2011)
FEMA sez it can't support site for new Cedar Rapids library. (9/16/2010)
New library construction will include old bricks.  (8/18/2010)
Library circulation plummets at temporary location.  (8/6/2010)
Library staff looking at the best design ideas. (5/6/2010)
For sale, old library, needs work.  (4/9/2010)
Site Selection Raises Ethics Concerns.  (2/9/2010)
Cedar Rapids Library Board to Recommend Site for New Library. (01/26/2010)
FEMA Reconsiders, Decides Library Provides an Essential Service. (12/24/2009)
Hide and Seek: Downtown Cedar Rapids Satellite Branch Library. (11/30/2009)
Early Days of Cedar Rapids Public Library. (11/20/2009)

LINK

Early Days of the Cedar Rapids Public Library

Carnegie library, Cedar Rapids, Iowa

Dedicated June 23, 1905

Link to November 20 gazetteonline.com post, "Even in 19th century, new Cedar Rapids library was contentious, funded from out of town".

Excerpt: Here’s an excerpt from the book “Tales of the Town: Little-known anecdotes of life in Cedar Rapids,” by Ralph Clements, published in 1967 by Stamats.

Like most cities and towns in the late 19th century, Cedar Rapids showed considerable apathy toward a public library. In the 1870’s a subscription library was ventured but soon was forced to discontinue through lack of funds.

Had it not been for Mrs. C.D. Van Vechten, president of the City Federation of Ladies Literary clubs, organized in 1895, the Cedar Rapids Public library might have been a long time coming. Mrs. Van Vechten insisted that one of the objectives of the new federation should be the establishment of a free library, and its constitution so state. She was the moving spirit in the campaign to enthuse citizens toward such a project. Her group staged dinners and other money-raising activities to help the cause along. Finally an election was scheduled for March 2, 1896, and it carried by a slim margin — yes 1,105, no 1,046.

The Cedar Rapid Museum of Art now occupies the former library building.

Cedar Rapids Public Library Promotes 'Your New Downtown Destination'

Cedar Rapids Public Library

Plus there's this little tidbit about opening the 1985 time capsule.  

Related articles:
Library staff looking at the best for design ideas. (5/6/2010)
For sale, old library, needs work.  (4/9/2010)
Site Selection Raises Ethics Concerns.  (2/9/2010)
Cedar Rapids Library Board to Recommend Site for New Library. (01/26/2010)
FEMA Reconsiders, Decides Library Provides an Essential Service. (12/24/2009)
Hide and Seek: Downtown Cedar Rapids Satellite Branch Library. (11/30/2009)
Early Days of Cedar Rapids Public Library. (11/20/2009)

Contracts Sent Out for Bid for New Cedar Rapids Library

OPN rendering

Cedar Rapids seeks bid on new $49 million library. (Cedar Rapids Gazette, 8/24/2011)

Excerpt:    As the City Council prepared to approve plans and cost estimates for the new $49 million library on Tuesday evening, council member Don Karr had just a few more questions.

Karr told Library Director Bob Pasicznyuk he was still concerned that the size was too large for an era in which the use of electronic books is rapidly expanding. Karr also said he thought there was too much space for an auditorium.

In regard to parking, Karr said he thought that the facility, to be built across from Greene Square Park on Fourth Avenue SE, was going to depend too much on the Fourth Avenue Parkade, and he didn’t like the idea of parents and children using a “dark” parking ramp to get to the library.

Karr said the success of the temporary library site at Westdale Mall has worked well, in part, because patrons had a dedicated parking lot.

Pasicznyuk, along with Gary Streit, an attorney at Shuttleworth & Ingersoll PLC who is leading a fundraising drive for the library, told Karr and the City Council that the new library was “right-sized.

Maybe this is what Karr is worried about.


Related articles:
A "progressive and forward-looking design".  (1/11/2011)
FEMA sez it can't support site for new Cedar Rapids library. (9/16/2010)
New library construction will include old bricks.  (8/18/2010)
Library circulation plummets at temporary location.  (8/6/2010)
Library staff looking at the best design ideas. (5/6/2010)
For sale, old library, needs work.  (4/9/2010)
Site Selection Raises Ethics Concerns.  (2/9/2010)
Cedar Rapids Library Board to Recommend Site for New Library. (01/26/2010)
FEMA Reconsiders, Decides Library Provides an Essential Service. (12/24/2009)
Hide and Seek: Downtown Cedar Rapids Satellite Branch Library. (11/30/2009)
Early Days of Cedar Rapids Public Library. (11/20/2009)

FEMA Reconsiders, Decides Public Library Provides an Essential Community Service

Link to December 24 Cedar Rapids Gazette article, "FEMA reverses, grants relocation money to Cedar Rapids library".

Excerpt: The Cedar Rapids Public Library received notice Wednesday that FEMA approved the second appeal for temporary relocation assistance following the flood of 2008, stating that the library does, in fact, provide essential community services.

The news was announced first by Sen. Tom Harkin’s office.

Previous attempts to get reimbursement funding from FEMA for temporary relocation were denied based on federal law which does not list libraries among essential community services, such as police and fire departments.

“This is a major victory not just for the Cedar Rapids Public Library, but for any library that may be in a similar situation in the future,” said Bob Pasicznyuk, library director.

The money will cover 18 months of rent, utilities, and other expenses, but library officials aren’t sure yet which 18 months it will apply to. The library has been without its central location in downtown Cedar Rapids since the flood.