Check This Out: Proposed Building Would Combine Avalon Library & History Center

By Alexa Lesniak

There is a new proposal and concept plan for a combined Avalon Free Public Library and Avalon History Center.

The proposal states: “By creating a modern, shared facility and reimagining existing space, this project improves access to resources, enhances community gathering opportunities, and ensures our history is properly preserved – all while making efficient use of existing assets and funding.”

The Avalon Free Public Library, built in 2005, currently resides inside Avalon Elementary School.

“We love the current library, but have long understood that we don’t have enough space to meet year-round and seasonal needs,” said Erin Brown, the director of the library and history center. “The Avalon Library is one large open space, so it’s hard to create a defined quiet space for patrons. We also want to be able to welcome youth and their caregivers to be able to use the library in a more joyful, certainly noisier, way.”

In addition, the library’s presence within the elementary school no longer fits with current school safety measures. “This is an opportunity to create a definite division between those two spaces,” Brown said.

The Avalon History Center currently runs out of a converted house and does not have proper climate control, storage, or exhibit space.

“The building at 39th Street was a donated building, and it was old when the history center moved there,” Mayor John McCorristin said. “It doesn’t lend itself to how great the collection has become. The attic is filled with items, but they just don’t have places to display them properly.”

McCorristin noted that upgrading the history center had been considered before the COVID pandemic. However, “It did not seem viable for the amount of money that it would cost because it was retrofitting a building that doesn’t work.”

The town also looked into upgrading the current library. McCorristin said that due to current elevation code requirements, “You would lose the gain space by having ramps and a tremendous amount of steps. So, at that point, we discussed what other options do we have.”

The new proposed 18,000-square foot combined building would be built on the 39th Street lot adjacent to the current history center. The building, designed by BKP Architects, will be compatible with the surrounding residential area and feature a dedicated library space, increased accessibility, study spaces, improved technology access, permanent and rotating exhibit galleries, climate-controlled archival storage, and improved workspaces.

“The exhibit gallery and library spaces will get slightly larger, but not dramatically expanded,” Brown said. “We’re not looking to double the size of any existing library space; rather, we’re hoping to make those spaces work more efficiently and serve the patrons more efficiently than it currently does.”

In addition, all public services will be housed under one roof, increasing ease for homeowners and visitors. The current history center space will be turned into a parking lot for the building. Throughout the construction process, the Avalon Free Public Library and History Center will stay open until the new building is complete.

The current Avalon Free Public Library space will be renovated and become a dedicated school library and community space for concerts, meetings, and other programs, capable of hosting 140 people at tables and 300 people lecture-style.

Two community meetings, with attendance available in person or online were held in June.

“We knew we wanted to reach out to the community at a time of year when as many people as possible were in Avalon to hear about the concept,” Brown said. “We’ve long understood how committed this town is to the library, museum, and public services in general. We have had a lot of conversations in the past month, and we’ve really appreciated the feedback.”

Not all of it is in favor of the plan.

“We’ve had feedback from people who would love for the library to stay in its current space,” Brown said. “We spent years trying to figure out a way to make that work. We’re hopeful that people understand that the recommendation to relocate these facilities comes from our desire to answer as many different community needs as possible.

“We are hopeful that everyone can understand that while we’re grateful for how much they’ve enjoyed the current library space and how much we share that, we were unable to find a way to make the two facilities work within the space. We really believe this direction meets an even greater range of community needs. We are hopeful that as patrons and homeowners learn more about the plan and the proposal, they can see the rationale that led us to bring this idea to the community.”

If the plan is approved, bidding and construction will begin in 2027, and the new facility will open in 2028. The updated school renovations will be completed by 2029.

Visit www.avalonfreelibrary.org/project for more information.