The Defiance Public Library hosted a community information session on January 15, 2024, to discuss plans for a new library annex located across from its current facility at 320 Fort St.. The session aimed to provide updates and address questions regarding the project, which involves the construction of the annex as well as renovations to the existing Carnegie building.
The library has selected the Cincinnati-based design firm SHP from a competitive pool of 13 applicants. SHP, a firm with a history spanning 124 years and experience with 14 library systems in the past five years, will collaborate with library staff to create schematic drawings. These drawings are expected to be completed by the end of December 2023 or early January 2024.
Plans for Community Space and Facilities
Initial plans for the annex indicate that the Children’s Services Department will occupy the first floor, while the second floor is set to feature a large community room, a maker space, and office space for an adult literacy coordinator. The community room is intended for library programming and can be booked by local government or nonprofit organizations for various events.
Library director Cara Potter emphasized the importance of addressing the community’s need for additional public spaces. “A theme that has reappeared to me was the lack of community spaces,” Potter noted. “This is a way not only to fulfill the library needs but also to address an issue within the community that has been known to us for a number of years now.”
Board member Chris Korhn highlighted the library’s urgent need for more space, particularly following a recent visit from Santa on December 5, which attracted a significant number of attendees. The library’s popular storytime sessions, book groups, and local history club have all experienced growth, making it increasingly difficult to accommodate users in the current building.
Funding and Community Engagement
The Defiance Public Library System (DPLS) has set a project budget of approximately $5.3 million, with plans to raise $2.5 million through a fundraising campaign scheduled to launch in January 2024. A ticketed event on January 24, 2024, will unveil the schematic drawings to the public.
“Our board has been wonderful and supportive throughout this process, and so have many of our community members, which has been appreciated,” Potter said, reflecting on the collaborative efforts to bring the project to fruition.
For more details about the annex project or to sign up for email updates, individuals can visit defiancelibrary.org/annex. Fact sheets and additional information are also available at the Defiance Public Library, ensuring the community remains informed about this significant development.
