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Library Board Recommends Price, Size changes for Building Project

Cheyenne, Wyo. - With the sixth-penny specific purpose tax election now on the November horizon, the Laramie County Library System is again fully engaged in garnering support for a new Laramie County Library facility.

LCLS has not received taxpayer money for major capital expenditures since 1967, although the current facility has been considered critically undersized since the early 1990s.

Early discussions placed the project’s cost at approximately $39 million, including obtaining a new bookmobile and enhancing the Pine Bluffs Branch facility. That figure later dropped to $35 million, and the board now intends to ask for a lesser amount, $26.9 million.

“We heard concerns from voters that the pricetag seemed steep, and we understand that opinion,” LCLS Board President Barbara Rogers said.

Library personnel continue working with the architectural team to change the conceptual designs shared with the community. Although the design incorporated many ideas suggested by the community through numerous workshops, focus groups, and public meetings, many patrons’ biggest reservation was the grass roof. That element will not be a part of the new design, and other modifications are also planned.

The preferred site for the new facility rests on the western side of Pioneer Avenue between 22nd and 23rd streets. The board’s initial goal was to build a 120,000 square foot facility, based on research indicating that this size would serve the county for the next 20-30 years.

However, the board realized that its long-term goal of building Cheyenne branches needed to be better aligned with the local Vision 20/20 plan. That plan emphasizes an intention to create neighborhood-focused communities in the 21st century. With this vision of strengthening neighborhoods, the board believes a slightly smaller Laramie County Library can be built. In-town branches will come into play sooner than previously expected, perhaps within the next 10-20 years.

Currently, the library has branches in Pine Bluffs and Burns, as well as a bookmobile to visit rural and underserved areas of the county. LCLS had wanted to delay the building of new branch facilities because of the financial, staffing and capital expenditure concerns.

“It’s crucial to keep in mind that the designers of the current facility did a fantastic job 35 years ago, not only with the building itself but other elements as well,” Rogers said. “The library still uses most of the original 1967 furniture, and the carpeting has been replaced only recently. That is what quality provides.”

The library will hold additional public meetings as the project progresses.

The public is always welcome to give comments at any time, in one of many ways: e-mailing building@larm.lib.wy.us, completing a comment form found at any LCLS location, calling 635-1032, ext. 121, or submitting suggestions online at www.LCLSonline.org/building/suggestions.html