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Health & Fitness

Tell Us What You Think!

Here's your chance to provide feedback on the proposed remodel of the Fairfax Library.

How often does someone ask for your opinion?  In a democracy such as ours, you have the opportunity to vote for your government.  While the Library is not holding an election, we would like to know your thoughts on the proposed remodel concept for the regional libraries.

Concept design maps and details about each project are visible on the library’s website, and each library is also featuring a large display on site.  You can use the forms attached to our display to leave your comments, or take the online survey.

At the Fairfax Library, the remodel plan features an exterior book return that is closer to our front door.  The new exterior book return will include a canopy to protect you from the rain when you are returning books on a dark and stormy night.  Not only is this more convenient for customers, but it provides staff with a new circulation workroom where all materials will be checked in and sorted.  This is a huge improvement over our current configuration, which has customers placing returned items on the checkout desk.  By moving the routine function of checking in books to a non-public area, work can be streamlined, so new books will make it to the shelves quicker.  And staff on the service desk can focus more on the public. 

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Another change is the creation of a single point of service for all customer needs.  The large checkout desk will be removed to make room for more book displays and shelving, a more convenient holds pick-up area, and additional self-check units.  A new desk, where patrons can go for answers to any questions, will be located on the left as you enter the main area.  I’ve recently toured a number of newer libraries, and been impressed by the attractive display units they use to feature new and popular books.  With the addition of more new books, plus Lucky Day books, Lucky Day dvds, and circulating Nooks, we’ve run out of room to create special displays, which our customers have always enjoyed.  With additional room for display units, our popular materials will be more visible and accessible.

The Fairfax Library children’s room has been too small for its collection for years.  Although there isn’t sufficient funding to expand the footprint of the Fairfax building, we’re finding a way to provide more space for children’s materials just outside the children’s room’s doors.  With the increase in activity near the front of the library, it’s planned to move the magazine area towards the back, where readers will have a quiet “living room” space to read, browse the newspapers, and use their laptops.

Find out what's happening in San Anselmo-Fairfaxwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

New computer tables and chairs, new space for the Friends of the Library booksale, and an upgraded display area for community information are also included in the plan. 

Something that will not be changing is our excellent staff.  No one is losing their job as a result of the remodel, and as a result of these changes, staff will be more available to help each person who walks in our doors.

The concept drawing the architect provided has generated a number of questions, several of which I've answered here.  I'm happy to respond to any questions or comments, either here on the Patch, by phone, or in person at the Fairfax Library.

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