Sylvania soon will have two modern libraries, one near each of its two public high schools.
The new King Road Branch Library opened in fall of 2016 down the street from Southview High School, and the dated Sylvania Branch Library near Northview High is now ready for a makeover.
Sylvania City Council this week approved a Toledo-Lucas County Public Library request to amend the building’s special-use permit to allow for the expansion, officially permitting the project to move forward. The 18,170-square-foot building was built in the 1950s and has had no major update since 1989.
“We’re excited about the renovations and the upgrades to the Monroe Street library,” said Doug Haynam, a Sylvania councilman. “We believe the library adds to and enriches our community, and we appreciate their investment in Sylvania and in the lives of the citizens of Sylvania.”
The remodeling, expected to cost between $5 million and $7 million, will add just over 4,000 square feet in two areas, one to the front and one to the back. It will be paid for through the library system’s building and repair fund, which gets its money through state funding and local tax levies, said Charlie Oswanski, superintendent of facilities and operations.
Cleveland-based HBM Architects tweaked its original design based on community feedback. Residents voiced concern during a community meeting in January that the result would be too modern and clash with the red brick municipal buildings across the street.
“I think there was some concern that some folks were worried we were going to make another King Road on Monroe,” said Jason Kucsma, the library’s deputy director.
Updated renderings presented Monday to a city council public hearing show a glass and brick exterior, a blend of modern and traditional design.
The interior will see updated technology, additional study rooms, and a large community meeting space. Plans also include distinct spaces for children and teens, a “makerspace” for three-dimensional printing and arts and crafts, and a quiet reading room complete with a gas fireplace.
Mr. Kucsma emphasized that the printed book will not go by the wayside to make room for the new technology coming to the library.
“We have a dedicated reader community,” he said. “We’re not cutting back on the amount of books.”
Plans to overhaul the Sylvania Branch began in 2014 but were put on hold because finding a temporary space to house its materials and continue serving patrons would have been costly, Mr. Oswanski said.
With King Road library now open, patrons will have a local alternative for the 10 to 12 months the Sylvania branch will be closed for renovations.
Mr. Kucsma said the branch likely will close in August once the library system’s summer-reading challenge is complete.
Contact Sarah Elms at: selms@theblade.com or 419-724-6103 or on Twitter @BySarahElms.
First Published March 24, 2017, 4:00 a.m.
