Library Master Plan
On August 15, 2006, the Library Board of Directors voted to adopt a new master plan for library facilities. This plan is the continuation of 40 years of master planning by the Library.
The key components of our newly adopted vision for Wichita Public Library facilities are as follows:
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By 2011: create a new 135,000 square foot Central Library in the core area of the City
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By 2013: replace the current Westlink branch with a 25,000 square foot regional library in the general area of the present location, incorporating the current Orchard branch into the new facility
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By 2016: create a new 7,500 square foot neighborhood branch library for Southeast Wichita in the general area of Pawnee and George Washington Boulevard, relocating and combining the Planeview and Linwood branches
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Between 2016 and 2021: create a new 25,000 square foot regional library in far East or Northeast Wichita, relocating and combining the current Comotara and Rockwell branches
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By 2021: expand and/or remodel the remaining facilities in the library system as need and use might dictate
The Library Board has also affirmed these four principles:
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No current facilities should be closed until replacement service is in place
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Selection of sites for any new facilities should be coordinated with Wichita Transit to ensure best access for residents that rely on transit services
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Library staff are encouraged to work with other City departments to find new ways to extend access to library services beyond current and proposed library facilities
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New facilities should be located on or near commonly recognized arterial or collector streets in order to provide easier visibility and access for users
We believe this plan gives our library system the facilities required to sustain library service to all current residents of our community and the ability to expand service as the City continues to grow over the next fifteen years.
More than 700 citizen comments about planning options were received by the Library Board and were instrumental in the refinements contained in the plan adopted by the Library Board and endorsed by the City Council on September 13, 2006.
Towards a New Central Library
In 2007, the Wichita Public Library Board of Directors unanimously selected a preferred location. The announcement came as the result of several months of effort on the part of the Library Board's Planning and Facilities Committee to identify potential properties in the downtown core that meet the Library's needs. The site, commonly referred to as the former Watkins Steel plant, is at the southwest corner of West Second Street and McLean Boulevard. The location keeps the Library close to users in the core of Wichita as well as the cultural venues along the river corridor. It meets a new central location's requirements as detailed in the Master Plan, but offers many additional benefits to the Library and its customers. The City Council initiated the project and bonding resolution in November 2007.
In May 2009, HB+M|Providence was chosen to help the Library with the programming stage. During the programming stage, no architectural designs are generated, but instead the vision for functionality of the facility is identified and refined. After gathering information and public input, HB+M|Providence will brainstorm and present a trial program with a space needs analysis to the Library. (Miss the visioning meetings? Send your input to admin@wichita.lib.ks.us.) After budget information is prepared, the program will be finalized and presented to the public. This process, from beginning to end, will take about six months.
Master Plan documents are available in Library Planning Reports.
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