Big changes are eventually coming to the Hopkinsville-Christian County Public Library, many of which are going to greatly impact visitor experience and comfort while on campus.
During Tuesday’s Christian County Fiscal Court meeting, magistrates heard a full update from HCCPL Executive Director DeeAnna Sova regarding the expanded use of a procured $750,000 Kentucky Department of Libraries and Archives grant — before unanimously approving the first reading of an ordinance assuming debt service through the Kentucky Association of Counties, and on behalf of the library.
Set to receive $38,000 annually over the next 20 years, the library will then pass along their payment back to the county.
Sova told the panel that she applied for this grant last year, “never dreaming of getting it.”
But they did, and now grand visions are being imminently drafted. This includes a complete reshuffle that should add 4,000 feet of patron space — from 22,000 to 26,000 — without new construction, but instead with better interior design.
It means a total revamp of the top floor is coming, too, with all youth and children’s services move there. The community room will expand capacity from 80 to 120 people and be accessible 24/7, Sova said, so that the public can gain more service space. Audio/Visual implements, as well as a dedicated restroom, are also coming to this room — as is a retractable wall, so that the top floor can be fully open if needed.
ADA-compliant bathrooms for upstairs and downstairs are in the plan, as well, as Sova noted the doors were old and the occupancy too minimal.
Furniture and equipment upgrades are part of the deal, as is an expansion to the book collection, with more than 4,500 coming for children, and more than 3,000 coming for adults.
Sova said the library already has a 3D printer accessible to the public, but a Makerspace that tends to the needs of hobbyists and small businesses is also on the way.
Drawings haven’t been approved by the library board as of yet, but Sova said the overall vision is certainly there.
Magistrate Mark Cansler thanked Sova and the library board for their efforts in this process, and Sova explained how some of these plans came to be.
This HCCPL structure first opened in January 1977.
