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McCall Library Expansion FAQ
Age - The building, built in 1972 is old and in need of repair.
Space - Not enough space for programming, gathering, modernization or to meet the needs of an ever-growing population. Does not offer any meeting or presentation spaces. Current fire code lists the 4200 square foot building for just 84 people.
Accessibility - It does not meet space or ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) requirements including entry and exit points, bathrooms, shelf access, aisle sizes.
- The renovation and repair of the existing 4,200 square foot space
- An addition of a new 12,000 square foot building
- Improved accessibility standards required by the ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act)
- A sustainable 21st-century library that will last for 50 years
- Adult, tween, and children’s libraries
- A variety of small and large free public meeting spaces
- A large meeting and presentation room available for reserved public use to host events, show movies, give presentations, and more.
- Improved technology accessibility for patrons
- A dedicated area to rent equipment and sign up for recreation programming
- Increased program opportunities for adults and children since more space equal more opportunity to provide free community programming.
- The ability to host traveling exhibits
Many options were evaluated based on guiding documents, costs of remodeling, square footage, and ADA accessibility capabilities, and adding to the existing building was the most cost-effective choice.
The expanded library *designs and layouts can be seen on the design page. *Designs are subject to change
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The McCall Public Library is for everyone! The library hosts all ages. With access to a physical collection of books, movies, and periodicals, e-readers, projectors, and more, the McCall Library also offers a comprehensive list of programming: everything from travelogues and sewing classes to book clubs and movies.
Why do they need it? How do they use it?
- Co-working or gathering
- Student test proctoring including continuing education students
- Access to technology and free Wifi
- Jobs Searchers
- Online education classes
- Second language classes
- Reading classes
- After school programming
- School tours, and science/ technology activities
- Access to creative spaces
- Meeting space
- Non-Profits
The library is one of the few locations in the area that offers no-cost community gathering and meeting space to the public including the business and nonprofit sectors. Citizens and organizations rely on the Library to host meetings, gather, present, and serve the community. Many members of the workforce consider the library a critical resource for job-seeking, furthering their education, and as a resource for the youth.
No, the McCall Public Library construction plan is multi-phased and buildings of the library and city hall will remain open and provide the same level of service.
The city cannot fund the capital needed for a project of this magnitude with cash-on-hand, so bonds are considered a more fiscally responsible option and allow the cost to spread over time to reduce impacts to taxpayers.
Yes,
All meeting and study rooms will be equipped with the latest technology, improved wifi signal, and an increase in electrical outlets to improve connectivity and access. ADA access computer stations are also part of the expansion plan.
The renovation, and expansion of the McCall Public Library building and parking lot.
29,000 - the number of visitors in a year
34,906 - number of items in the collection
5771 - Library members
0 - private study rooms
0 - private meeting rooms
0 - ADA compliant bathrooms
0 - wheelchairs & strollers that can navigate the library unencumbered.
0 - doors and emergency access points that offer ADA access.
2 - offices shared by 7 employees
Registered voters who live within the City of McCall.
McCall property owners will see an annual increase of $15.98 for every 100k of assessed home value.
As an example, a primary home assessed at $400,000 would see a yearly increase of $47.94.
$4.2 Million paid over 20 years.
A professional construction manager, CM Company was hired with the experience in this region necessary to help guide the project. Their experience in building public libraries in Idaho was a valuable factor in all aspects of the project.
The proposed library has a large space called the Community Hall that can be used for any public event or activity. Community Hall is meant as a large, no-cost public (open to all) by reservation space that can accommodate movies, presentations, classes, exhibits, meetings, and more. McCall Council may use the space for their two to three meetings per month but will need to reserve the space in advance just like any public user. The room is expected to have a partition that will allow it to host more than one user group at a time.
When compared to other areas of similar size, McCall's Public library is substantially smaller. Click the image on the left to see the comparison chart or click here>
The ballot will read the following if you are a city of McCall Registered Voter.
SHALL THE CITY OF MCCALL, VALLEY COUNTY, IDAHO, BE AUTHORIZED TO INCUR AN INDEBTEDNESS AND ISSUE AND SELL ITS GENERAL OBLIGATION BONDS, IN ONE OR MORE SERIES OF BONDS, IN AN AGGREGATE PRINCIPAL AMOUNT FOR ALL SUCH BONDS OF NOT MORE THAN $4,200,000, OR SO MUCH THEREOF AS MAY BE NECESSARY, FOR THE PURPOSE OF PROVIDING FUNDS WITH WHICH TO PREPARE, CONSTRUCT, AND FURNISH THE CITY’S EXISITING LIBRARY FACILITIES, WITH EACH OF SAID SERIES OF BONDS TO BE PAYABLE ANNUALLY OR AT SUCH LESSER INTERVALS AS DETERMINED BY FUTURE RESOLUTIONS OR ORDINANCES OF THE CITY, AND TO MATURE SERIALLY WITH THE FINAL INSTALLMENT TO FALL DUE WITHIN TWENTY (20) YEARS FROM THE DATE OF EACH OF SAID SERIES OF BONDS, AND TO BEAR INTEREST AT A RATE OR RATES TO BE DETERMINED BY FUTURE RESOLUTIONS OR ORDINANCES OF THE CITY, ALL AS PROVIDED IN THE ORDINANCE OF THE CITY ADOPTED ON MARCH 11, 2021?
The goal of the flat roof design is to hold snow on the roof. Designers have learned that holding snow is a much better approach, rather than steep pitches that deliberately shed snow. Some of the reasons for this include:
Snow is a good insulator in the winter months.
Falling snow is dangerous and unpredictable. The proposed design protects pedestrians, parking and the outdoor Discovery Garden.
Technology used in flat roofs has greatly improved over the years. For example, one of the keys is to minimize the number of roof penetrations and/or sources of leaking.
Yes! We have studied the current situation and discussed with designers and librarians nationwide. We know that despite all the challenges with COVID-19, we are on the right track for a healthy community building. We need many features, but first and foremost we need more space to allow more social distancing. Other features of a healthy community building include: panel walls that are moveable to create larger spaces when needed; state of the art HVAC systems that recirculate safer air; operable windows whenever possible for fresh air; no more consolidated computer banks that force people into close proximity, but rather a shift toward laptops and portable devices that people can use anywhere in the library; improved outdoor Wi-Fi and improved outdoor spaces so people can stay connected while outside.
Yes, The Library Expansion project has been committed to energy efficiency since the beginning of the project. Recognizing the new building would need to last another 50 years, it was important to coordinate design and cost with energy-saving choices from the planning phase. Our architect, Dennis Humphries at Ratio along with Skyler Swinford of Energy Systems Consulting conducted a comprehensive study and made several recommendations to the design.
The Library expansion bond was set at $4.2 million, and that cannot be extended. By law, a bond election is a legal promise to the taxpayer and voters. The project managers at CM Company have years of experience managing large-scale projects and incorporate that experience and the forethought throughout the project. An inflation budget and contingency budget were added to the estimate to accommodate material increases or other unforeseen cost changes. CM Company has a 100% track record in finishing on time and within budget. If, due to unprecedented circumstances, the project exceeds the predicted amount, taxpayers and the approved bond would not be affected. Instead, additional dollars would need to be sought from other funders.
No, in fact, the city is investing in the senior center through state funds. The library works cooperatively with the senior center providing collection items. We partner in programming at the facility as well. In addition, the McCall City Manager serves as a board member of the Senior Center.
No, parking will be increased.
Yes, the building is 50 years old and in most ways is in original condition. There are issues with accessibility and space as well as building issues such as ceiling holes, siding, exterior interior paint, crumbled tile, leaky doors, and windows, jammed windows, original plumbing that is at the end of its life.
Commercial space is not an adequate comparison to family homes. Why? Our cost is comprehensive and includes all permits, design fees, and contingencies. It is also important to recognize that a public building is held to a different standard than a private residence from parking and ADA accessibility requirements to access points and snow storage.
The current library staff is large enough to handle an expanded library. It is expected that the energy efficiency design will enable the library to see some cost savings. The new design will allow for more effective use of equipment, technology, and staff.
Yes! McCall library already fully participates as a lending and borrowing library in the world's premier cooperative, OCLC. Any library cardholder can request a book to be delivered from the OCLC cooperative.
OCLC: Worldwide, member-driven library cooperative
OCLC, a global library cooperative, supports thousands of libraries in making information more accessible and more useful to people around the world.
Residents of the City of McCall pay for the library out of their taxes and therefore are entitled to a library card.
Non-residents are welcome to come in, read books, get help, use the internet and printing services at no cost.
There are many ways for non-residents to obtain a library card. To learn more about obtaining a library card click here.
It has been clear since 1987, when the first library expansion committee was formed, that our library needed to change and grow with the residents. McCall’s population has more than doubled since 1972 when the library was first built. Since then, McCall citizen volunteers have done the work to raise awareness and money, gain community input, and work with city staff to develop a campus plan and development concepts.
In response to the Comprehensive Plan and Campus plan, in recent years there have been major investments in the downtown core, Treasure Valley Transit, the Senior Center, as well as major improvements to pathways and traffic flow. In the 2020 election, the plan saw favor with 64% of voters. Public feedback outlined the need for cost reductions and a simplified plan. Now that these items have been addressed, the new 2021 proposal gives citizens the option to take advantage of historically low-interest rates and decide whether or not to invest in this citizen-led project.