Dripping Springs Community Library expansion plans get underway

Plans are in full motion for the Dripping Springs Community Library (DSCL) expansion project. Last week, the DSCL and architects from PGAL and 720 Design gave a presentation and held a round of public input meetings to seek feedback on what the community wants and hopes for from our library. Since its inception in the mid 80s, the library has grown tremendously. In fact, the public library was once just a collection of books housed at Dripping Springs High School; and in 1998 it was moved to the building it is in now on Sportsplex Drive. In 2005, the children’s wing was added. Over the last several years, the amount of visitors has grown so much that the library struggles to accommodate them.

“In 1998, we had 900 library cardholders, and we were really excited about that to be knocking on the door of a thousand library users at the time,” Missy Atwood, DSCL Board President said. “Since then, through the end of 2020, our active card membership has grown to over 11,000, and that means that 1 in 4 people in our larger Dripping Springs community is an active library user.” It also means that the library has experienced some growing pains and space constraints. Marcia Atilano, the library’s director, said during the presentation that there are boxes and boxes overflowing with books just waiting for a spot on the shelves.

“We are simply not big enough to meet the needs of the growing population,” Atilano said. “Some users would like to see new books on the shelf. The problem is we have to weed our collection aggressively just to get new ones up. When we purchase new books and technology, we joke about where we are going to put them next because some of it is under my feet in my office, stacked on top of my shelves to the ceiling… Our library has to grow with our community.”

The plan is for DSCL to nearly triple in size from 9,200 square feet to 30,000-35,000 square feet of space to accommodate expanded programs, more events and an increased number of visitors.

“We are using every square of inch of space we’ve got in our building and really do need a bigger space,” Atwood said. “But we want to be sure the new space we design reflects the interests and needs of our community.”

And that is where residents come in. During the public input meetings, participants were presented with a series of questions asking what is most important to them about the library; how they use the library; and what they’d like to see. Architect Maureen Arndt of 720 Design also provided a presentation on what types of spaces she has previously designed in 200 other libraries across the globe, and what options are under consideration for bringing to Dripping Springs.

A few noteworthy options tossed out were maker spaces, group social rooms, community presentation rooms, and a performance area. For the children’s spaces, participants were asked to rank the importance of an arts/crafts area, interactive learning wall, access to technology, and a tutoring/homeschool area. Teen and adult spaces were also discussed, as well outdoor options for things like a drive-up book drop and service window.

About 125 participants provided feedback during the first round. The library invites anyone who did not already participate to do so by visiting dscl.org/2021/02/05/community-input-meeting-survey/. After the community feedback period ends Feb. 21, the architects will compile the data and come up with conceptual designs for the new library.

The library expansion is part of the City of Dripping Springs’ town center project that was first floated in 2017. This past summer, Hays County Commissioners approved an interlocal agreement with the City, Dripping Springs Independent School District and DSCL district to advance the plans, which call for a new, bigger city hall facility, civic center plaza and a new library. Mayor Bill Foulds has been a big supporter of the concept saying in a previous statement, “The town center will help create and maintain the character and sense of community for Dripping Springs. I think it’s important to work on it now, before we lose control because of all our growth.”

For more information about the town center project, visit cityofdrippingsprings.com/ page/city.tirz_projects.

Important:

The Dripping Springs Community Library will be closed Feb. 22-24 for inventory. There will be no service during this time. Phones will not be answered. Due dates will be adjusted accordingly. Placing and picking up reserves will be suspended for these three days. Services will resume Feb. 25.