Library seeks additional funding for children's center expansion project

The Washakie County Library is currently in the process of receiving a grant of federal funds in an amount of just over $1 million for a project to expand the children’s center at the library.

Library Director Karen Funk said the need for the library expansion comes from an influx in use seen by both children and adults at the library that is currently hurting their ability to provide space for both groups. Currently, the children’s center is a sliver of a room at the north end of the building with a maximum occupancy of 22 people, housing some children’s books and tables.

Funk said, “The children’s center is way too small for the amount of kids who are coming. Our initial thought was, ‘if we build it, they will come,’ and they have come. Every month we have more and more library cards being given out when people find out about the services we have here.”

“Because of all the services we offer adults at the library – use of our conference rooms, our computers, and other day-to-day operations we run at the front of the library, we’ve had to push the kids into their own area. Right now, we’re running into issues with our summer reading program taking availability away from the conference room, and we’re constantly having to swap the room around to cater for multiple uses,” said Funk.

She continued, “So, we’re expanding the children’s area to better facilitate the needs of the children that come to the library.”

The plan is to build the current room outwards north towards the street bordering the former Ace rental building. Funk said that the expansion will allow for more open space at the children’s center, and also allow room for a computer area.

As the area that is to be expanded into currently serves as library parking, Funk’s answer to the concern of losing those parking spaces is the lot across the street at the old rental building, which has already been designated as overflow parking for the library.

The funding comes through the Wyoming Library Multipurpose Facility Community Program, facilitated through American Rescue Plan (ARPA) funds.

ADDITIONAL

FUNDING

Funk said that the library initially submitted a request in the amount of $941,000, which was accepted earlier this summer. This amount has been received, but they also applied for additional grant funds that push the cost by just over $100,000 to cover engineering costs that were not accounted for in the original bid.

“Based on how it has gone, I assume that they will accept our request for additional funding. Many other Wyoming libraries have received this funding, and we are requesting — comparatively — a minimal amount,” said Funk.

The construction for the expansion is set to take place no later than October 1.

Northern Wyoming News will provide construction updates as they become available.