New Library Site

Questions & Answers

--Why do you need to move?
The current Library was originally built fifty years ago. At that time, the Library trustees planned for a library that could hold 120,000 items, which was significantly larger than its collection. Today, our Library collection contains over 180,000 items. Fifty years ago, technology needs were non-existent, library programming was minimal, and DVDs hadn’t been invented yet. Today, our Library provides all of its traditional services along with computers, DVDs, and extensive programming. All of these need space -- and the Library has none to offer. Our staff works out of converted closets and parking is always a problem. The current site has been built out to the maximum. There is simply nowhere to go but to a new site.

--What will you do with the current site?
We will continue to operate at the current site until we are ready to open the Darien Library at the new site. After we move, the property will be sold.

--Will the town of Darien purchase the current Darien Library site?
That is up to our town government, which has expressed some preliminary interest.

--What will the new Darien Library look like?
Peter Gisolfi Associates has been hired to design the new Darien Library. They are experienced in building libraries and other public buildings in towns similar to Darien. The building will feature a traditional brick exterior reminiscent of a New England mill, with tall windows to let in lots of natural light, and a peaked roof. The interior design of the building will feature a flexible open space plan that will provide the Library with the ability to create different environments for different uses. There will be three levels in the new Library; two above the ground and a lower level that will house the technology library.

--Is the increase in out-of-town use of the Darien Library driving the need for a new building?
No, the use of the Library by our neighboring communities is not the reason we need a bigger building.

In doing the research for our Long Range Plan completed in 2001, the Trustees learned a lot about our services, space, and programs. Our collections are over-crowded and our stacks are filled far beyond capacity. We have run out of room for programs, with waiting lists for almost everything we offer. We have too few quiet work/study spaces. Our staff work out of converted storage closets. We are woefully short on parking. We are literally tripping over each other everywhere we turn. These realities are not the result of out-of-town use.

Use of the Darien Library by our neighbors goes up and down, but it has trended between 20% and 25% for the last 15 years. This use primarily affects the number of books and DVDs we buy, not the size of the building. If there were no out-of-town use, we would still build the same new Library, because it is what the residents of Darien told us they wanted and what our study showed they need and deserve.

In addition, there are a couple of things to remember about our community of users. First, by and large our neighbors pay their own way. While our out-of-town circulation is approximately 23% of our total circulation, these neighbors contribute on average about $100,000 annually to the Friends campaign. Additionally, we receive funding from the state for our participation in the ConnectiCard program ($40,000 in 2006). These monies benefit all our users since every item in the Library is paid for with the private funds raised each year through our Annual Friends Campaign and our reimbursement from the state, not with tax dollars.

Also, the program that allows our neighbors to use our Library also allows our residents to use libraries outside of Darien. With such a top-notch Library, you might ask whether Darien residents take advantage of this. The answer is a resounding yes. Darien residents rely heavily on the surrounding towns, particularly the Westport and Greenwich Libraries. It is also useful to look at the community we categorize as non-resident. Employees that work in Darien are considered non-residents even though their employers pay taxes. Teachers are heavy users of the Library and for the most part they do not live in Darien. Many former Darien residents now live in nearby Rowayton and New Canaan. Their Library use is now considered non-resident use. Communities blur at the edges, and our community has always been larger than just Darien residents.

-- Will a new Library attract more out-of-town use?
We’re going to build a wonderful Library, and we expect that people will come to see it, so there’s likely to be a short-term spurt in visitors, but not an increase in use.

While new libraries usually generate more use by local residents, we expect that use of the Darien Library by our neighbors will remain about the same percentage of overall use that it is today -- about 20 to 25% of total circulation. Most of our neighboring towns are also expanding and renovating their libraries to meet community needs: Wilton has expanded to 52,000 square feet, Stamford expanded the Weed branch and is renovating its main library, Fairfield expanded to 76,000 square feet, Norwalk has renovated its branch library, and Westport is considering an expansion.

Right now, use of the Darien Library by our neighbors is trending downward because of recent changes in policy by us and by other libraries – and we expect use to continue to cycle in the range of 20 to 25% of circulation, as in the past.

-- Will doubling the size of the Library double the operating costs?
No. Although our planning is not complete, we believe our operating costs will show a one-time increase of about 15% in the first year, and then resume a normal trend after that.

The operating costs of the Library that are paid by the Town of Darien with taxpayer funds relate mostly to our staff and utilities costs.

Almost all of the increase in the size of the new Library will come from new areas for bookshelves, additional study and meeting spaces, and more program areas. None of these increases require more staff.

We will need an additional custodian to care for our larger physical space. We will be adding a service desk on the lower level, which will require staff to provide the new services in that area.

The cost of new staff members will be partially offset by adding automated book-sorting equipment and self check-out. We anticipate reducing the amount of staff time needed for these low value tasks, thus freeing up personnel for direct customer service.

The other major element of our operating costs is the utilities needed to heat, cool, and light the building. The current Library has four separate, inefficient HVAC units, installed as we have expanded over the decades. With the ability to utilize the latest technology and the most efficient heating and cooling plan, the new Library will be more efficient than the current space.

Taken together, we expect operating cost increases will be much less than the increase in the size of the new building. We are working with our architects and consultants to achieve the most efficient design possible, including the potential use of alternative heating and cooling sources.

As our plans become more complete, we will be able to provide more specific information.

For more information, please feel free to contact Mary Bennett, Louise Berry, or Kim Huffard at 655-1234 x118.