FRIDAY, APRIL 21. 2006
NEWS
THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN 3A
Library expansion to bring more than just books
BY RACHEL SEYMOUR
rseymour@kansan.com
KANSAN CORRESPONDENT
For the first time in their student careers at The University of Kansas, Patricia Maguire and Brett Marsteller, both Lenexa juniors, walked through the sliding glass doors of the Lawrence Public Library at 707 Vermont St. on Monday night.
The two strolled over to the DVD collection in search of some free entertainment. After going through multiple genres, from drama to foreign films, they headed to the checkout with nine DVDs. Maguire filled out a form for his first ever Lawrence Public Library card, free of charge, while "The Sixth Sense" rested on top of his stack of DVDs.
"I heard [the public library] had a good selection and thought I would check it out," Maguire said.
Recently the library and two
architecture firms — Gould Evans and Associates, and Meyers, Scherer & Rockcastle — produced and released a report summary for the Lawrence Public Library's expansion plan. The library's finished expansion date, if passed by the city, will be in 2025.
Bruce Flanders, library director, estimated about 60,000 people have library cards and about one-fourth of the local college students, including students from Haskell Indian Nations University, use the library's services.
According to the library task force, the building currently needs several facility enhancements that would make more information and other benefits, such as DVDs, available to the community and University students. The library's collection, which includes fiction, nonfiction, periodicals, language learning CDs and DVDs, totals about 25,000 items. The expansion
plan would nearly double the collection to about 40,000 items.
On-campus libraries have entertainment DVDs like the ones Maguire and Marsteller checked out, but are limited in their selection. Had the two Lenexa juniors stopped by Watson Library to pick up "The Sixth Sense," they would have left empty-handed.
Students can get more than just entertainment from the public library though. Several University students also use the reference section of the library, said Jeff Weinberg, assistant to Chancellor Robert Hemenway and library task force member.
Another plan for expansion that University students could benefit from includes an extension to the number of meeting rooms in the library. More than 450 student groups are listed under student organizations on the University Web site. These groups would all be able to use the meeting rooms and other
library services of the expansion.
Maggie Bixler, Topeka senior, visits the public library at least once a month and often finds it difficult to get on a computer. It is not unusual to have to wait up to 30 minutes for an available computer, she said.
By the time the expansion is completed in 2025, the number of computer workstations will increase from 24 to about 150, providing students with a better opportunity to use the library's now crowded computer terminals.
The crowded computers aren't the only part of the library needing space, though. Right now, the Lawrence Public Library has the seventh lowest square feet per capita of the Big 12 cities' libraries, according to the library's report summary. Manhattan ranks at the top, having 1.46 square feet per capita, while Lawrence has .65 square feet per capita.
The limited space at the library stems from the fact that the building is the same structure that was built more than 30 years ago. Currently the library covers about 52,000 square feet, but the expansion calls for a 127,000 square foot structure. Additional parking for 240 to 440 cars was also proposed.
This estimated cost for the new library structure and parking garage totals about $53 million. The construction of the library, not including the parking garage, additional parking or library furnishings, is an estimated $35 million of the total. But no set costs have been made, and Flanders said he thought the library could be built using less than $30 million if necessary.
cussions of exactly where the funds will come from are still under way.
To pay for the project a bond and private investors are being looked into. The private investors include people who either own the property options for the new location or can easily acquire it, Flanders said. Dis-
Four different locations for the library are currently being considered. All centered around downtown Lawrence. The four locations include: the 600 block of Vermont street, the 800 block of New Hampshire street, the 900 block of New Hampshire street, and the Riverfront Mall at Sixth and New Hampshire streets. The ultimate decision on the location will not be up to the library though.
The new library will span two to three-and-a-half stories and will depend on the decided location. The size of the parking garage depends on the property used for construction as well.
"We feel it's best for the city to decide where the library will be and what developer to go with," Flanders said.
Streets
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1A
— Edited by James Foley
Events throughout the week highlight social issues like homelessness, hunger, literacy, cultural diversity and environmentalism.
"Volunteering for any of this sort of stuff is kind of a way to get a sense of how you can make a difference." Wilson said.
Into the Streets Week coincides with National Volunteer Week this year. For the final event of the week, Day of Caring, the Center for Community Outreach is working with the Roger Hill Volunteer Center to organize service projects throughout Lawrence. Participants will meet and take buses to different locations.
"It's just one day to get a lot of stuff done in Lawrence, basically." Wilson said.
Anton Bengston, Salina junior and co-director of the Center for Community Outreach, said the center was careful to keep in mind that people have busy schedules, and made the events at different times every day.
"If people could come out to at least one event that would be a big help," he said.
— Edited by Gabriella Souza
More than 20 events will make up into the Streets Week, which kicks off Saturday and concludes April 29. A variety of volunteer opportunities are interspersed throughout the week to appeal to people with different interests and schedules. For a full list of events go to www. ku.edu/~cco.
SATURDAY, APRIL 22
INTO THE STREETS
Sleepout for Homelessness 8 p.m. to 9 a.m., Watson Park, 7th and Tennessee
To raise awareness for hunger and homelessness, volunteers spend a night in the park. There will be homeless speakers, live music and food. Proceeds benefit Jubilee Cafe.
SUNDAY, APRIL 23
6 p.m., South Park, 1141 Massachusetts St.
School House Rock Concert
There will be performances by junior and senior high musicians Proceeds benefit the Lawrence junior high music program.
TUESDAY, APRIL 25
Breakfast for Dinner
Breakfast for Dinner
6 to 7:30 p.m., First United Methodist Church, 946 Vermont St.
Another round of Jubilee Cafe where breakfast will be served for $5 per person. This event needs volunteers to help cook and serve.
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 26
Empty Bowls Project
6 p.m., Hawks Nest, Kansas Union Community officials will respond to Lawrence's ranking as the second meanest city to homeless people by the National Homeless Coalition.
Empty Bowls Project
10 a.m. to 1 p.m., Wescoe Beach
ice cream or cereal will be sold
in bowls designed and painted
by volunteers earlier in the week.
Proceeds benefit Jubilee Cafe.
Forum: Homeless in Lawrence
FRIDAY, APRIL 28
HUG Senior Prom
ROG Senior from
2 to 4 p.m., South Park gazebo
Volunteers dance and hang out
with local senior citizens.
SATURDAY, APRIL 29
Day of Caring
Day of Caring
9 a.m. to noon, Free State High School, 4700 Overland Drive Volunteers meet for breakfast and take buses to different service projects in and around Lawrence.
source: Center for Community Outreach
Ball
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1A
The promotion of local music also attracts many quality local bands, including Paul Protocol.
Paul Eaton, Leawood junior and member of the band, said, "I was in the Farmer's Ball last year and I am really excited about this year. The prizes are cool but I like the exposure that the local bands get from Farmer's Ball."
Hendrickson said he was not sure how his band, Sexy If You're Maladjusted, would finish in the competition but the band will leave a lasting impression.
"Our performance will either be really heavenly or it will be like a bad off-Broadway musical," he said. "People are either going to love it or absolutely hate it."
- Edited by James Foley
Winners will receive a plaque and free t-shirts!
Date: Saturday April 29,2006 Where: Lyons 1&2 Cost $100 per team of 8-10 people Teams are guaranteed at least 2 games
Deadline for teams: Friday April 21
Proceeds from the event will be used for Juvenile Diabetes research and education, scholarships and other Alpha Gamma Delta Foundation philanthropic programs.
For more information, contact AGDkickball@hotmail.com
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