[August 31, 2011] Germantown city officials hear library expansion ideas Tweet Aug 31, 2011 (The Commercial Appeal - McClatchy-Tribune Information Services via COMTEX) -- Parents and children often delight in the special programming at Germantown Community Library when as many as several hundred people turn out. But pushing aside study tables and having such programs in the middle of the openly spaced library often annoys patrons who are there to study or use the library's computers nearby. That is why city officials listened Tuesday night to about 35 residents talk about what features and changes they want to see in expanding the city's existing library at 1925 Exeter. Residents said they want public displays of art, more quiet spaces and more space for children's programming. On the way over to the library, Hugh Durden's 14-year-old son called and wanted a new service added: video game rentals. Personally, the 63-year-old father said he wants more of what was his favorite part of the library: "As a kid those (reading) nooks were attractive. It was like I was the only one in the library." Beverly Johns, 73, added, "I envision a beautiful garden and a separate children's building -- a space of their own." Melba Fristick said she wants more hands-on or interactive activities for children. With an eighth-grader and a sixth-grader she is home-schooling, Kristy Dunaway suggested more home-schooling materials would be helpful. Elizabeth Bumpus, 29, offered a simple request: "The white walls are a little mind-numbing after four hours of studying. It would be nice to have a little color. It feels a little institutional." So far, the city has set aside $525,000 for design plans that would add as much as 10,000 square feet of space to the library. Previously, city officials have estimated a library expansion could cost from $6 million to $7 million with another $1 million for new books, videos and library materials. Dr. Ron Dubberly, president of private firm LSSI's public library management operations, moderated the discussion Tuesday. Germantown has outsourced its library operations to LSSI since 2004. All the librarians, including the director, are employees of LSSI rather than the city. Library director Melody Pittman was happy with the turnout. "We know we need to work on the acoustics," she said. "We have to have designated spaces that work without losing the library's community feel." Tom Cates, city attorney and chairman of the library's board of directors, said the library sees close to 25,000 visitors a month. "It's a nice problem to have," he said before the meeting. "Big use of the library is what we want." -- Lela Garlington: (901) 529-2349 ___ (c)2011 The Commercial Appeal (Memphis, Tenn.) Visit The Commercial Appeal (Memphis, Tenn.) at www.commercialappeal.com Distributed by MCT Information Services [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ]