Your Library Renewed – Building Project
St. Louis County Library, Mo.
Innovation Synopsis
In 2012, voters approved a tax increase to fund new and upgraded St. Louis County Library facilities. A building project of this scale has never been undertaken by the library. Beginning in 2014, the project touches 19 facilities and will span an estimated eight to 10 years.
Challenge/Opportunity
All projects reflect what SLCL has learned through strategic planning. Residents have been involved in the planning of the new and renovated branches from the start. SLCL surveys patrons to discover their interests and many of those responses are incorporated into the new building plans. Several exciting new features will be introduced at the renovated branches such as private study rooms, family restrooms, quite reading areas, larger and interactive children’s spaces and collaborative work spaces.
Key Elements of Innovation
• Phase 1: 11 branches; eight renovations (complete gut), one renovation with an addition, two new branches – fall 2014 to fall 2016 • Phase 2: Seven branches; two renovations, two renovations with additions and three new branches – fall 2016 to spring 2018 • Phase 3: Headquarters, a new building – winter 2019 to fall 2020
During this project, the library also upgraded its ILS and did an entire redesign of the library’s website.
Achieved Outcomes
Despite branch closures, statistics show a relatively low loss of circulation. SLCL had an 18.7 percent decrease in capacity in 2015 but circulation dropped only 6 percent compared to 2014 and less than 3 percent in 2016. The YLR project garners press coverage, some include: Fist pump: St. Louis County Library system brings it, St. Louis Post-Dispatch; Readers celebrate, St. Louis Post-Dispatch; Future Wins, St. Louis Post-Dispatch; ‘Perfect’ opening for Lewis & Clark Branch, The St. Louis American.
