Large, open library near Iditapark on Wasilla’s drawing board

Frontiersman

WASILLA — Local residents have a first glimpse of what a new Wasilla Public Library could look like.

Ron Bissett, project manager with WHPacific, and Isaac Benton, lead architect with Integrated Design and Architecture, presented a conceptual design for a new Wasilla library to city council this past week.

The concept includes a building a little less than 37,000 square feet that could be located near Iditapark close to the Valley Performing Arts building. The project would cost about $9.2 million.

In their presentation, Bissett and Benton described the high points of the of the design, which focuses on an open building that represents the city’s identity.

“One important thing is the community traditions,” Benton said. “It’s very important that the style of the library reflect the community.”

Jeanne Troshynski, president of Friends of Wasilla Public Library, said she is impressed by the design presented this week.

“I’m really excited about the idea of the open library and the big library to provide so much service with the same number of staff,” she said.

Unlike the city’s current library, the conceptual design focuses on a one-story building to promote visibility for staff and minimize the number of people needed to operate the library.

Although Bissett and Benton are taking the lead on the conceptual design, they turned to library staff for direction.

The process began by meeting with staff and gain a better understanding of the needs of the library and its patrons. Some of those needs include natural lighting, easy access, low maintenance and meeting rooms.

From those meetings and other input, the team devised a conceptual design that includes

• a children’s area,

• a dedicated reference desk,

• a teen area,

• two meeting rooms,

• an arctic entry,

• and computer stations.

The design also includes the concept of creating natural edge and information edge to the building. Benton said a natural edge includes areas near windows and away from more active parts of a library.

“A natural edge we usually like to place near views and where there are nice places to sit quietly, reflect and look out and enjoy the building, but also the outdoors,” Benton said.

The concept of an information edge is focused on the center of a building where people can access information with ease.

The meeting also was an opportunity to talk about creating a joint library and performing arts building — an idea that’s picking up steam. Troshynski said a co-location would benefit the library, Valley Performing Arts and the community.

“I think it would be great all-around for the community and it’s a natural partnership,” she said of a combined library and cultural center space. “It just makes sense to combine the arts with the library because it’s all about education. So I think it’s great.”

Janet Kennedy, a volunteer and treasurer with Valley Performing Arts, said the organization began examining the co-location idea about three years ago. As the organization grows, now is a good time to take another look at a joint venture.

“VPA has recently revitalized its desire for a new facility, so we would be excited to work with the city and with library to help accomplish that goal,” Kennedy said.