ASHTABULA - - The Ashtabula County District Library hopes to begin a new chapter with a larger facility in the not-too-distant future.
Director Bill Tokarczyk shared his vision with the city's economic development committee Tuesday, presenting a Solon-based architectural firm's designs for the main library on West 44th Street.
Ziska Architects and Associates LLC designed the Geneva Library during the mid-1990s, as well as the Avon Lake, Beachwood and Columbiana public libraries. The architects have been working with the library board on needs assessment and preliminary planning since 1999.
"These are concepts, some ideas we've had," Tokarczyk said.
In the first scenario, the library would buy the tennis-court property located behind the library, from the Ashtabula Area City School District. This move would give the library a total of 30,000 square feet, he said.
The second scenario would have the library buying all of the school property on West 44th Street. This would provide a large parking lot and room for a community campus of sorts, Tokarczyk said.
The third idea includes a large campus where many organizations would join the library.
"It would be a place where people would come and enjoy," he said. "The library wants to stay in the area."
City Council vice president Josephine Misener said, "The economic development committee is happy the library wants to stay downtown."
Tokarczyk said he hopes to hear from the school board later this week.
In June 2005, the board of trustees hosted a community forum at the library, during which trustees, library employees and residents discussed the future of the library and it's location.
At the time, Ziska Architects said the library needed a 40,000-square-foot building to house adequately all the books, materials, videos, computers and public meeting rooms needed for the community. The existing 100-year-old building on West 44th Street has about 18,000 square feet, library officials have said.
Tokarczyk said the plans are not yet far enough along to offer estimates and meeting the cost involved will be a challenge.
The Ashtabula Library is the largest library in the county, serving more than 60,000 county residents in all or part of most of the county's townships, circulating more than 320,000 books and other library materials. It has an annual budget of about $1.6 million.
Local News
Library presents expansion plan to city officials
Ashtabula Library is the largest in the county
- Local News
-
-
Six ready to interview for Buckeye’s super job
The Buckeye Local Board of Education will conduct interviews with six superintendent hopefuls next week, said Board President Jacqueline Hillyer.
-
Shooting suspect to be tried as adult
A 17-year-old will be tried as an adult in the school shooting deaths of three students, a juvenile court judge ruled Thursday after hearing a sheriff’s deputy describe how the teen wore a T-shirt with the word “Killer” and admitted shooting people.
-
Ohio EPA takes AIM at site of hazardous wastes
Ohio Environmental Protection Agency staff members returned this week to the site of the now-bankrupt Ashtabula Iron and Metal on West 30th Street to take samples of the unknown liquids and analyze hazardous wastes, asbestos and other potential health and environmental concerns.
-
Commissioners look at selling nursing beds
Commissioners have retained the services of a law firm that specializes in the sale of excess nursing home beds as the board looks at ways to raise additional revenues.
-
Conneaut looks at demolition funds
The city is making preparations to secure its share of nearly $692,000 in demolition funds expected to be Ashtabula County’s portion of a multi-billion dollar settlement with national mortgage lenders.
-
Volunteers get more help than needed at rescue spot
Despite their good intentions, Edward and Mary proved more hindrance than help to the Conneaut KeyBank employees lending a helping hand Thursday to a farm animal rescue operation in Kingsville Township.
-
220 graduate at Lakeside
Thursday night was a time of pomp, circumstance and smiles as 220 seniors graduated from Lakeside High School.
-
Lost money?
There is no map, and “X” may not mark the spot, but hundreds of Ashtabula County residents may have unclaimed cash ready and waiting for them through the Ohio Department of Commerce.
-
Lane to be tried as adult in Chardon High shooting
A 17-year-old boy will be tried as an adult in the school shooting deaths of three students, a juvenile court judge ruled Thursday.
-
Happy Hearts School holds commencement for its Class of 2012
As commencement exercises go in Ashtabula County, the one at Happy Hearts School was small, with just five students.
- More Local News Headlines
-
Six ready to interview for Buckeye’s super job
