Village Spaces—Library, Village Office and Police

A town hall discussion

February 2015

Colfax Municipal Building

Constructed in 1915

Population GrowthYear Village of

ColfaxTown of

Colfax

1970 1,026 499

1980 1,149 660

1990 1,110 691

2000 1,136 909

2010 1,158 1,186 2014 Estimate 1,127 1,241

Concerns with the Current Building

• 1999 SEH Report indicated need for new village facility

• Lack of program/meeting space• Lack of flexible space• Storage Space• ADA accessibility issues

– Public Meetings– Restrooms– Outside access – ramp length and slope at door entrance– Interior access

Colfax Public Library

Colfax Public Library Snapshot2014 Annual Report

Collection 2014 2000

Print Volumes 9,851 11,456

Audio Materials 1,313 521

Video Materials 1,063 660

Subscriptions 41 41

Colfax Public Library Snapshot

Library Use 2014 2000

Total Circulation 23,995 17,936

Children’s Materials 8,249 5,492

Adult 15,746 12,444

Library Visits per year 14,400 10,000

Number of Users of Public Internet Computers

4,158 NA

Number of Public Use Internet Computers 6 1

Building Square Footage 1,800 1,800

Colfax Public Library Snapshot

Programs 2014 2000

Young Adult Programs 1 NA

Young Adult Program Attendance

3 NA

Children’s Programs 68 28

Children’s Program Attendance

1,692 640

Other Programs 72 5

Other Programs Attendance

392 300

Colfax Library Service – Beyond the Borders

• 1,288 card holders– 358 Residents– 930 Nonresident

• 72% of checkouts from outside the Village– 9,495 items from

residents of the Town of Colfax

• Checkouts by Location– Village of Colfax 6,715– Town of Colfax 9,495– Town of Grant 1,622– Town of Tainter

1,444– Town of Elk Mound 1,359– Town of Howard 1,108– Town of Otter Creek 953

(Top locations)

Colfax Library Service—Beyond the Borders

• Library Service Population 4,025• Based on library circulation patterns

• 2014 population estimates– Village 1,127– Town of Colfax 1,241– Town of Grant 386– Town of Tainter 2,381– Town of Elk Mound 1,851– Town of Howard 797– Town of Otter Creek 496

(Wisconsin Population & Housing Estimates – Dept. of Administration)

Colfax Library Service – Beyond the Borders

• Library brings individuals into the Village

• County funding supports library’s operational budget for use by rural residents

Concerns with the Library Space

• Lack of program/meeting space• Lack of patron seating• Space not designed for Technology, MORE and

courier materials• Lack of flexible space• Service and material needs have changed over

the decades• Lack of accessible book drop

Concerns with the Library Space

• Lack of collection space– 1963 Report (Colfax on the Red Cedar)

• The number of books now in the library 2,724 for juniors and 4,034 for adults

– New formats• DVD• Audio Books• Music

• ADA accessibility issues– Narrow aisles between shelves and tables– Checkout desk– Programs

Library BuildingInterior

Library BuildingInterior

Library BuildingInterior

Programs

Larger Programs are held outdoors

Children’s

Table in the Children’s area doubles as a staff workspace

Materials

Library Benefits

• Community Anchor• Attract individuals to Colfax from surrounding

areas• Early literacy and school readiness• Technology training• Internet Access– Job Applications– Tax forms– Unemployment

Benefits of New Library

• Increased Children’s area• Teen area• Small group meeting/study

spaces• Larger meeting space for

library and community events

• Expanded collection space• Additional computers• Increased patron seating• Increase usage

• ADA accessible• Energy Efficient

– Possibility for alternative energy sources

• Sufficient electrical outlets for computers and other devices

• More efficient staff work spaces

• Self-checkout of materials• Curbside or more accessible

book drop• Improved parking

Sustainability

Rain Garden – Cross Plains Solar Panels—St. Croix Falls

Meeting Spaces

Study Rooms – McFarland

Study Room – St. Croix Falls

Meeting Spaces

Storytime Space – Cross Plains Storytime Space-- Cumberland

Technology

St. Croix FallsComputers--Neenah

Technology

iPad 2s for our patrons to check out and use anywhere in the Library -- Cudahy Sauk City—3D printer

Displays

Exhibit Cases -- River Falls Local History -- Roberts

Activities

Community Puzzle – River Falls Coffee Nook – Balsam Lake

Services

Book Club in a Bag – River Falls Early Literacy Area--Amery

Spaces

Fireplace/Reading Area – St. Croix Falls Fireplace/Reading Area -- Roberts

Spaces

Reading Area/Magazines – Prairie du Sac Audio Books – St. Croix Falls

Spaces

Trempealeau Black River Falls

Concerns with Village Office

• Need for space for elections and meetings• Secure/private record storage area• Need for Staff workspace– Copier– Supplies– Deputy Clerk

• Lack of reception area

Village Office

Board Meeting

Storage

Village Office

Deputy Clerk/Board Meeting

Administrator’s Office

Village Office

Record Storage

Police Department Needs

• Secured Interview Room• Police Garage – 2 squad cars– large evidence storage

• Patrol Room• Electronic Access System to limit access• Large Conference Room/Training• Restroom with Shower (decontamination)

Police Department

Access from Village Building via stairsShared work space

Police Department

Exterior access/Lack of security

Basement Area

Basement Area

Possible Solutions for Colfax

• Build a new standalone library• Build a new multipurpose village building• Remodel and expand the current building• Remain in the current space

Build a new standalone library

• Positives– Flexible design to meet current and future needs– Maximize library visibility– Parking

Build a new standalone library

• Potential Negatives– Potential duplication of meeting spaces and

restrooms with current village building– Needs of Village Hall and Police unmet

Build a new multipurpose village building

• Positives– Flexible design to meet current and future needs– Collaborative project– Shared meeting spaces; heating and cooling and

restrooms• More cost effective to share spaces

– Meet the needs of the library, village hall, and police

– Parking

Build a new multipurpose village building

• Potential Negatives– Space layout could be less efficient– Need to design for access and security of different

functions with potential for additional costs– Lot size will impact design• Single story versus two story

Remodel and expand the current building

• Positives– Downtown visibility– Maintain historical building

Remodel and expand the current building

• Possible Negatives– Cost to meet code and maintain historical integrity– Environmental hazards

• Lead• Asbestos

– Loss of green space– Parking– Little room for outward expansion– Potentially less flexible design– Structural needs of the library– Multiple floor access

• Elevator costs• Emergency exiting

Remain in the current space

• Positives– No immediate costs

Remain in the current space

• Potential Negatives– Inefficient public service– Not ADA Compliant– Public meetings– Lack of parking