When the Library Board approved a 15 Year Plan in November 2021, one of eight identified goals was facility improvements. This included possible remodeling. However, no one anticipated it could include expansion.
Then, in January 2023, the building adjacent to the Library came up for sale. After receiving both Library Board & City Council approval, the Library entered into negotiations to purchase the building. When the sale closed on April 1, 2023, we began moving in right away!
Creating & Approving the Design
In order for the expansion to be ready for full optimal use, it needs to be united with the current Library building. Thanks to a $10,000 grant from the McPherson County Foundation David Nutt fund, the Library Board hired Hutton Design Services to create architectural plans. Library staff and board members actively engaged in the design process to make sure the plan will best fit library needs in Lindsborg. This included prioritizing community wants and needs, intuitive use for visitors, and improved ease and efficiency for staff work.
The design approved by the Library Board and City Council will improve our Library’s capacity to provide excellent service for our community. The finished result will seamlessly integrate the newly purchased and existing library buildings into a unified library service center even more vibrant and welcoming than before.
Tentative Timeline
After consulting with our architect, we are excited to announce that we have secured sufficient funding to proceed with at least a first phase of the project this year. With this in mind, the next step of the design process will begin May 2024. If we have not yet secured funding to cover the entire project, we will determine which spaces to include in a first phase of construction and which to delay for future phases.
The submittal & sub-contract process will take place over Summer 2024, with construction to begin mid-August 2024. If funded is secured to complete the entire project at once, this construction process should be completed by January 2025. If not, the first construction phase could be shorter, followed by continued fundraising and construction phases until the entire project is complete. After construction, we will move into the new spaces with current furniture, pending funding received for new furnishings as needed.
Current Phase: Fundraising
To bring this vision to life, the Board and Staff of the Lindsborg Community Library is uniting with Friends of Lindsborg Library (our 501(c)3 partner) to raise $880,000. This sum covers the estimated costs for construction ($800,000) and furnishings ($80,000) required for this expansion and renovation project.
As of April 10, 2024, $274,430 has been designated for the Library Building Project. This includes grant funding, existing capital improvement funds and estate gifts, and donations of many sizes from our generous local community members. Some of these funds have already been spent on architectural services along with furnishing and technology improvements possible before we begin construction.
Our Library Director has applied for another $243,720 in grant funding to go towards construction costs. The majority of these are expected to notify the Library by April 30 whether or not grant funds will be awarded. If all currently undecided grants are awarded in full, the Library could be only $313,317 away from securing funding for construction costs for the entire project.
Contributions can be made now through August to go towards 2024 construction. Any size of gift truly does help: we appreciate the many donations received so far, whether it is spare change or the $100,000 challenge gift from our anonymous donor. While any time is welcome, gifts and/or pledge notifications received by May 21 will be especially helpful for the Library Board to decide on the best size of construction project to undertake this year.
For specific details on how you can donate, visit our donation page online or contact our Library Director, Suzanna Swenson. Many thanks for considering our project!