Central Library Renewal

Latest News

January 7, 2026

We are pleased by City Council’s decision to approve our special mill rate request for Central Library Renewal.

Council gave its nod to the request as part of its budget deliberations in mid December 2025.

Read more

Explore news

Welcome

Welcome to the Central Library Renewal website! We’re glad you’re here to learn about this exciting and important project.

Here’s what you’ll find on the site:

• New decisions and information related to the project are posted in our News section.
• Longer discussions about the project, the current building, and our renewal goals are provided in the Blog section.
• Characteristics of modern central libraries and examples in other cities are found in Benefits of a Modern Central Library.
• Historic documents such as building studies and assessments, and public engagement information are provided in Background and Research.
• Quick answers to common questions are found in the FAQ section.

If you can’t find something you’re looking for, please let us know.

Let’s talk about the reasons we’re working on a renewed Central Library.

1. The current building is failing:
   • Deteriorating Infrastructure: The building’s mechanical systems, including the heating, ventilation, and electrical wiring, are outdated and costly to maintain. Leaks, failing boilers, and even potential fire hazards are a continued risk.
   • Inadequate Space: The current space is too small to accommodate the modern services and programming our community requires. From dedicated spaces for children’s programs and digital media labs to meeting rooms for community groups, the library has simply run out of room.
   • Accessibility Barriers: The current design presents significant accessibility challenges, failing to meet modern building codes and standards.
2. The current building doesn’t have the capacity we need to serve our current and future population.
3. The current building was designed for the needs of users in the 1960s. It limits the amount of modern library services we can provide to our customers today.