Fayetteville Public Library
Staff photo
The Fayetteville Public Library will host two public meetings to gather input on future services and expansion Aug. 4 and 5.
Library administrators hope to gather feedback about the initial 131-page draft of the library’s 2030 Master Plan, which recommends service goals for the library for the next 20 years. The final draft outlining specific action plans to meet future goals is expected in October.
The initial draft calls for adding at least 80,000 square feet to the library’s 88,000-square-foot campus.
David Johnson, library director, said the current building’s footprint could be expanded by about 36,000 square feet, but that’s not enough space for the kind of expansion he envisions.
One possible solution is to purchase nearby property.
The library’s Board of Directors last week voted to offer Washington Regional Medical Center $2 million for the City Hospital property located directly south of the library campus.
If the property is acquired, the library could begin a fundraising campaign to build more space for special events, a 750-seat multipurpose public auditorium, an expanded children’s area, a new young adults section and public “maker spaces” stocked with 3D printers, video editing software, and music studio equipment.
The two meetings are scheduled for 3 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 4 and 5:30 p.m. Monday, Aug. 5 in the library’s Walker Community Room.
