The Library Board of Trustees is moving forward with plans for expansion of the Rappahannock County Public Library building, making more space for community programs and larger collections.
At its January meeting, the board discussed the next steps of an expansion proposal by Enteros Design, an architectural firm based in Richmond. The expansion is still in the early stages, and sketches for possible designs are currently being drawn up.
“The library has really grown, outgrown its space, both for collections and for programs,” said John Beardsley, vice president of the library board and chair of the expansion committee. “The timeline is however long it takes to pull together the resources.”
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Beardsley said the exact plan for how the building will be expanded has yet to be determined, but the building will either be extended to the east or west, or on both sides. The main goals are to allow more space for community and children’s programs and develop teen programs, which he said are needed in the county.
“There’s very little in the county…few activities and very little space for after school activities for teens. And that’s an area we really hope to develop energetically,” Beardsley said.
In 2021, a community input survey was distributed as part of a space-needs study by Enteros Design that gauged how Rappahannock residents use the library and what they want to see improved. The survey was completed by about 500 residents who said the programs they would be most likely to attend at the library were lectures and presentations, art gallery and musical events and use of the conference room.
Of those surveyed, 46.42% said the current location of the library is “excellent,” and 35.57% said it is “good.” Beardsley said the board considered moving the library’s location to Rush River Commons, but ultimately decided against it and voted in July to stay in the current building.
The expansion is expected to be an expensive endeavor, and Beardsley said the timeline for completion is not yet known. Once schematic plans are finalized, Beardsley said an “energetic fundraising campaign” will be launched.
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