New main library is planned for 2010

The Headquarters Branch Library for Davis County has served its purpose, and a new library is part of the master plan for the county government campus in Farmington.

"We've been talking about doing this for a long, long time," said county library director Pete Giacoma. "Now, the time is on the horizon."

The current building no longer meets the needs of today's library patrons and also doesn't meet the earthquake standards for public buildings.

The main library serves local residents and is also a processing center for all the library materials for the county library system. As Davis County grows, so does the need for more books, computers and meeting space. Accommodating those needs has put a strain on both the staff and the building.

Children's story hour is an example of the complications the branch faces. There is no dedicated meeting space for large groups, so one has to be created.

"We have to move heavy magazine racks and furniture," said Lynnette Mills. "We block three aisle of books with the furniture, and it makes it hard for other people to mill around and look at books."

The popular summertime story hours are especially difficult for the special guest and performers and the many families who come to the event.

"We almost have to turn families away,' said Mills.

The library opens at 10 a.m. and within minutes the few personal computers available for patrons are being used. There is no more space to add any more.

In the back, space is tight where the processing takes place. The staff works in cramped quarters as they process piles of new books to go on the shelves at all the branches.

"I get claustrophobic," said Janet Workman, who was busy processing a stack of new children's books about firetrucks.

She agrees with Mills that more space would be desirable so they are not always tripping over each other.

The building is no longer practical or functional as well as not being earthquake compliant. The saw-tooth roof leaks, poor lighting causes shadows and limits the placement of book racks, adding new wiring is very difficult and the basic design suffers from other problems.

"When the east winds blow, and they do, we have to lock the front doors," said Giacoma. "When people come, we have to unlock the doors and hold them or the wind catches them."

The plan is to open the library in its new location in 2010. Giacoma promises the new Headquarters Branch will have more PC capability, a large auditorium, more space for staff and more books. The new building will also be more energy efficient.

"It will be a good contemporary library," said Giacoma. "The space will be much more functional."

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