Facilities Plan

Executive Summary

The Library System has now contracted with Dubberly Garcia to develop a Building Plan for the new main library and branch libraries. As of October 2005, the Linebaugh Library System was 72,000 square feet shy of the state minimum standards for Tennessee. We hope you'll join Project 72,000, and that you'll be a part of planning the future of libraries in Rutherford County. We welcome your feedback about this Facilities Plan and your input on the facilities and services our new libraries will offer. Please email your comments to laurelbest@linebaugh.org.

The Master Facilities Plan (15 pages) is available as a PDF. The Executive Summary follows below.

Master Facilities Plan Executive Summary

This space needs study conducted by Dubberly Garcia Associates, Inc. (DGA) recommends the number, sizes, service programs, and general locations for future public libraries of the Linebaugh Library System during the period 2005-2020. General cost estimate ranges also are provided for new and expanded facilities. The study was commissioned by the Library System.

The study considers anticipated population growth and demographic patterns, service needs, public library service delivery trends and related technological advancements, existing public library facilities, and the role of the Library System as a county-wide resource. The study included consideration of the increasing accessibility of electronic information resources through the Internet, the expanding space requirements for in-library use of computers, a continuing need for physical collections, growing use of public libraries as a destination for extended quiet time and personal research, and public interest in participating in informal learning opportunities and attending meetings on topics of community interest.

To learn about library service needs and priorities, this study involved stakeholders from across the service area, including library stakeholders such as community representatives, organizations, individual residents, members of library support groups, elected officials, and library trustees and staff. Input sessions were held by DGA in July 2005. In addition, the results of recent surveys and focus groups sponsored by the Library System on community needs and library services were made available to DGA for use in developing recommendations for future library facilities.

Continued population growth for Rutherford County is anticipated for the next 15 years and beyond. The service area population for the Library System is expected to grow from approximately 189,000 residents in 2005 to over 304,000 residents in 2020. This would be an increase of 55 percent -- almost 115,000 residents -- in 15 years. Based on these population figures, the Library System's space now falls 41 percent below minimum Tennessee standards and 57 percent below the space per resident reported by the upper quartile of 254 libraries serving populations of similar size to that of the Library System. Without additional libraries, this problem will worsen with continuing population growth.

Space needs recommendations were developed using a combination of population projection estimates, facility size data for public libraries with populations similar in size to the Linebaugh Library System, and consultant expertise. The primary factors used in recommendations for library locations were population concentrations and general accessibility.

By 2020 the Library System should have approximately 210,000 square feet of space. A main library, five area libraries, and two express libraries are recommended for development between 2005 and 2015. Other facilities likely will be needed in later years.

The recommended libraries for serving Linebaugh Library System residents during the period 2005 through 2020 are listed below by capital project year.

• Main Library (including Library System headquarters) with approximately 70,000 square feed, by 2008. General location: retail quality site along Medical Center Parkway corridor west of North Thompson Lane, south of Manson Pike, and north of Interstate 24.
   
• Southwest Area Library with approximately 30,000 square feet, by 2009. General location: Retail quality site along New Salem Road (Highway 99) in the vicinity of the Kimbro Road/St. Andrews Drive intersection, with convenient access from Barfield Crescent Road extension.
   
• Myrtle Glanton Lord Express Library (expansion / relocation of existing express library) with approximately 2,000 square feet, by 2010. Location in Paterson Park Community Center if larger area near building entrance is available.
   
• North Area Library with approximately 30,000 square feet, by 2012. General location: retail quality site along Memorial Boulevard corridor north of Haynes Drive/DeJarnette Lane and south of West Thompson/Compton Road corridor.
   
• Smyrna Area Library, expanded from 22,000 square feet to approximately 30,000 by 2014. Current location.
   
• Eagleville Express Library, with approximately 2,000 square feet, by 2015. General location: retail quality site in the vicinity of TN Highway 99 (New Salem Road) between US 41 (Main Street) and Mount Vernon Road.
   
• Southeast Area Library with approximately 30,000 square feet, by 2015. General location: retail quality site along Mercury Boulevard between Tennessee Boulevard and Rutherford Boulevard.
   
• South Smyrna Area Library with approximately 20,000 square feet, by 2020, on retail quality site suitable for expansion to approximately 30,000 square feet. General location: retail quality site east of Almaville Road, south of Burnt Knob Road, west of Beasley Road, and north of TN Highway 840.
   
• Linebaugh Library. Immediate minor renovations and interior layout revision. Closure when Southeast Area Library opens in 2015.

Specific sizes and spaces for each library should address community needs, within the overall service priorities for the Linebaugh Library System. A building program should be prepared for each facility.