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Community Glimpses What a New Felton Library May Look Like
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Community Glimpses What a New Felton Library May Look Like
While Current Library is Mostly Closed, Supporters Hope for Brighter Future
By Linda Fridy
The Santa Cruz County library system may not have the money to build a larger branch in Felton, but the Felton Library Friends have a plan ready when funding becomes available. Community members got to see drawings by local architect Teall Messer at Felton's Sept. 12 library festival and the board that oversees the system got a peek the following Monday.
"It feels like it's going to happen ... The energy is just incredible," Messer said to the board, alluding to the challenges the community has faced to keep its branch, much less build a new one.
Currently housed in a small, turn-of-the-century church, the Felton community has long needed a modern facility. Originally, the first library bond measure had one in the budget but needed the land. That effort got a boost a decade ago when the Verutti family donated land just down Gushee Street from the current site.
However, the library board decided to shift the bond money to other projects and the branch plans remained on the drawing board.
In that time, the Felton branch has twice been threatened with closure. A 2005 recommendation to shutter the branch by then-director Anne Turner led to the formation of Felton Library Friends, which has since led the efforts to secure a new building.
This year after accounting mistakes were found in the system's budget, many of the county's branches were cut. In Felton, the hours have been reduced to two four-hour days.
Yet the community remains committed to improving its library. It has received planning grants and members are working with Congresswoman Anna Eschoo to try to get federal funding.
A Green Library
Messer's plan takes advantage of the trees and creek on the north end of the property, with large windows facing the view. South-facing windows are placed just below the roof to allow light but not summer heat.
And yes, the windows will open, he said.
The 9,356-square-foot building includes 6,700 square feet of public space, with reading nooks near the windows, varying height ceilings to allow light and air circulation, radiant heat floors and plenty of room for solar panels on the cooler dark green roof.
The panels will warm water for the radiant heat and depending on cost could also help provide electricity for the facility, Messer explained.
An enclosed outdoor reading courtyard and walking path will take advantage of the setting as well.
The plan includes a flexible meeting room with separate outside entry that can also be used as a homework space for students.
Messer, who also designed the recently completed county Animal Services building in Live Oak, worked with a committee of community members. They drew from wider "visioning" meetings and toured libraries in other areas to explore options.
He envisions a river-rock facing on the lower part of the building, having convinced the county that an Old-West false front was not necessary to reflect the community style.
Looking Ahead
The county's library system faces the same continuing financial crisis that has hit most public agencies. Income from property and sales taxes has dropped, requiring significant budget cuts. Two large errors have made the budget worse.
The 10-branch system, which stretches from Boulder Creek to La Selva Beach, hired a new director, Teresa Landers, who took over July 1.
She is helping to lead town hall meetings throughout the county to give community members a chance to discuss priorities and realities of the library system's future.
Both of the San Lorenzo Valley meetings will take place this month. Boulder Creek meets on Oct. 15 at the library and Felton will meet at the Community Hall on Oct. 28.
Landers will be available to meet the community at 6:30 p.m. and the planning sessions run from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Scotts Valley has not finalized a date for its January town hall, but it has scheduled an Oct. 26 meeting for city residents to discuss plans for its new library branch. That meeting will be 7 p.m. at the Scotts Valley Community Center.
The city recently approved its agreement with Group 4 Architects, which will convert about 13,000 square feet of the Scotts Valley Sports Center for library use.
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