A Community Coming Together: Pana's Library Expansion

Stephanie Brenden

Carnegie-Schuyler Library began business in January of 1913. The only improvements since then have been bathrooms, and they aren't accessible to people with disabilities.

The library has just outgrown the building, and library expansion is a community project in Pana, population 6,500. Library director Janet Hicks says it will benefit the entire community. "Books are pulled that could have stayed on the shelf, but there just isn't space, " she said in an interview.

Hicks said the library is expanding for three reasons: "1. for handicapped accessibility; 2, the children's area has been inadequate for years and we have just run out of space; and 3, with technology advancing the way it is, we have no space for added computers and the wiring in the building is at its max."

The new addition is to include a children's program area for small groups taking tours or participating in a reading program. It will include more computer stations. A community room will be available for meetings, tutoring, programs, etc. Handicapped restrooms will be available and adequate parking. Hicks says, "the parking area will be off Kitchell Avenue, with adequate space for mothers to get children out of cars without the fear of traffic, as is on Second Street."

The expansion idea began in 1995-6. The library had a drive to assist with the new tile roof expense. The generosity of the community was overwhelming. $2,000.00 was left in the account after the roof was completed. Hicks says this is what gave "the library board the courage to begin looking at the real needs, present and future, for the library."

The beginning of 1999, the library board visited the Clinton library to see their expansion and began a search for architects. Hicks said that the "staff visited several libraries that had added on to see what we like and hear what they found didn't work." The design committee finally accepted plans from Ferry and Associates from Springfield in November of 2000.

The expansion has and will be funded in many ways. The cost of the addition is over one million dollars. The support from the community is the biggest contribution of all. The fund drive actually began March 1st., but support from the community started long before the kick off date of March 1st.

"The Pana library does more business than Taylorville, a town twice our population," says Hicks. "The people of Pana use their library, so this is not a waste of anyone's money."

Many families have used the library for donations when losing a loved one. Some have given monetary gifts in honor of a family members birthday. Since 1996, the library Improvement Fund raised 25,000.00 in donations till the beginning of the drive. The schools have been making posters and book marks, had a book sale and wrote letters to the local newspaper. Just about every month something is going on at the school for the library.

Businesses are beginning to think of moneymakers they can do. Plans have also been displayed at various businesses and the people of Pana seem to like the design of the expansion and encourage we build. The library is applying for a Live and Learn Grant with the Illinois Secretary of State's Office and asking for federal funding as well.

"If the Money is raised, ground will be broken in Spring of 2002," said Hicks. "All beginning relies on the raising of 500,000,000. It is a lot of money for a small community but with a prayer and determinations, we will begin. If all goes on schedule, I foresee entering the building for business in the Fall of 2002."

The fund drive is off to a good start, but its success won't be known till late summer.

"The community will have to prove their support thru donations," Hicks said. "Talk says support is there but we will find out come August when the fund drive should reach its end.

"You can't take a building from 1913 and expect it to keep up with the times forever. One compliment I must give the library board from 1910 is they had the foresight to purchase extra land for expansion someday. Even then they knew this library would not be adequate for the future. I am excited, scared, apprehensive but most of all, I believe in this project and that is, it will be built."