The St. Mary’s County Commissioners on Tuesday got their first look at plans for the renovation of the Leonardtown Library. The commissioners decided last year to go for a renovation of the existing facility instead of building a new one. They have budgeted $709,800 on the coming fiscal year for the project.

Library Director Kathleen Reif, architect Jeff Morgan and Gary Whipple, project manager with the Department of Public Works and Transportation, made the presentation to the commissioners.

The plan transforms the second floor into “more space for kids and families” according to Reif. There will be spaces for reading and quiet reflection. But Reif said one thing will not be on the second floor: circulating material. That way the second floor won’t have to be staffed full-time, but instead activities upstairs will be video monitored by the staff on the first floor. That will save operating money.

Morgan explained that the main entrance to the library will be changed from the front to the back of the building because that’s where the bulk of the library’s parking is. The county has plans to build a new senior center behind the library so that would also lead to expanded parking back there. The check-out station would be centrally placed for customers who enter each door.

An elevator would be installed as well as a new central stairway for patrons using the second floor.

Under the plan staff would be consolidated into one area downstairs instead of two areas and Reif’s office would continue to be on the second floor. There would be separate stairs for staff as there is now.

The renovation includes a new central HVAC system and new restroom facilities to replace aging infrastructure.

The area that is now the periodical and Maryland reading area would be transformed into a glassed-in computer center to move the computers from the middle of the library and give more space for circulating items.

Reif pointed out that the Leonardtown Library is the second busiest in Southern Maryland, after Lexington Park, and that the county has the fourth highest per capita circulation in the state.

Morgan pointed out there would be no exterior changes to the building, which started its life as a National Guard armory.

 

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