From the cover
Liberty Hill Public Library seeks larger space
BY CHLOE YOUNG
Why it matters
The overview
Although the library is not a city facility and is funded instead through a portion of sales tax, Liberty Hill ocials are supportive of the library as it aids in providing programming to the area, said Katie Amsler, director of community engagement and communications for the city. “The library’s a really important part of our community, and we want [it] to be as successful as possible,” Amsler said.
The library cannot adequately serve the commu- nity as there is not enough space to accommodate everyone who wants to attend programs and events, said Bob Calvisi, a Liberty Hill Public Library District board member and vice president of the Liberty Hill Chamber of Commerce. With a larger building, the library could shelf more books; launch new programs, amenities and classes; and oer meeting spaces, Palmer said.
The Liberty Hill Public Library District is seeking to open a new, expanded library to provide more resources and services to the area’s rapidly growing population. Since 2003, the library has operated out of a 2,400-square-foot building while the population in its service district has increased by more than 300% over the last 20 years, according to the Texas State Library and Archives Commission. In late November, Liberty Hill City Manager Paul Brandenburg brought the possibility of the city purchasing 30 acres of land for a municipal campus before Council. He said the library may then be able to purchase a portion of that land from the city. “[The city knows] the value of a library,” Palmer said. “I think they’re willing to work with us and do well for the good of the town.”
Increase in materials checked out Since the library opened two decades ago, the number of circulated items has increased to nearly 150,000 in 2023 as of mid-November.
Library items circulated
150K
0 50K 100K
2018
*2020
2022
2004 2006 2008 2010 2012 2014 2016
Library card holders over time The number of library card holders almost doubled from 2020-23.
*THE LIBRARY WAS CLOSED FROM MARCH 2020MAY 2021 DUE TO COVID19.
SOURCE: LIBERTY HILL PUBLIC LIBRARY DISTRICTCOMMUNITY IMPACT
Number of patrons
12K
+83.53%
What they’re saying
10K
8K
“I’ve been really excited about the bigger location for a long time. I just really hope that they can get the space they need and the resources they need, because they just have so much potential.” AMBER LUNDELL, LIBERTY HILL RESIDENT
“The library is at its capacity. There are some additional programs that we’d like to bring into the community, and we just don’t have the space.” BOB CALVISI, BOARD MEMBER FOR THE LIBERTY HILL PUBLIC LIBRARY DISTRICT
6K
4K
0
*2020 2021
2022 2023
*THE LIBRARY WAS CLOSED FROM MARCH 2020MAY 2021 DUE TO COVID19.
SOURCE: LIBERTY HILL PUBLIC LIBRARY DISTRICTCOMMUNITY IMPACT
Moving forward
The wishlist The new library’s features will largely depend on what the community desires, Palmer said. She would like to see the space have the following:
land is acquired, Palmer said. She said she hopes to see the new library open in the next ve years. In the future, she’d like to open library branches across the district and start a mobile library known as a bookmobile. “We really want to see ourselves as that community center where people from all over can all come and congregate and feel like this is their library. This is their home. This is their community,” Palmer said.
Over the coming months, library o cials will gather feedback from the community on what they’d like to see from the new library through events, focus groups and surveys, Palmer said. That input will be used to create a strategic plan by the spring or summer to guide the new facility’s design, she said. The building will be at least 20,000 square feet; however, its size will depend on how much the district can aord and how much
Spaces for kids, teens and seniors More room for books
More computers Makerspace craft area Meeting and study rooms
Areas to sit, read and converse
SOURCE: LIBERTY HILL PUBLIC LIBRARY DISTRICT DIRECTOR ANGELA PALMERCOMMUNITY IMPACT
23
LEANDER LIBERTY HILL EDITION
Powered by FlippingBook