Facilities:

Develop and maintain clean, safe, physical facilities that creatively meet the needs of the community and staff with an emphasis on sustainability, accessibility and flexibility

Goal 1: Renovate or replace Downtown library

[Update: Board of Trustees committed to renovation at the 2005 Board Retreat.
The story room space, periodicals/internet area and fiction spaces were remodeled in 2005.
The circulation work area was renovated earlier in 2005 to accommodate the changes in workflow occurring due to the massive increase in circulation.
A 20 year Feasibility Study of the Downtown Library was presented to the Board on July 23, 2007.]

Goal 2: Build branches and purchase property for future expansion

• Build branch on Oak Valley

[Update: Pittsfield Branch opened March 20, 2006.
Pittsfield is open and running smoothly.
Finishing outstanding issues.]

• Purchase property and build branches in the northeast and west/northwest sectors of AADL district

[Update: Property purchased on Huron/Traverwood to replace NEB.
Site planning for the proposed building was submitted to the City of Ann Arbor on February 13, 2006.
A land search in the West/Northwest sector is ongoing.
The new NEB is under construction, new branch scheduled to open in 2008.
The new NEB is named Traverwood and opened to the public June 30, 2008.]

Goal 3: Create a more convenient and social experience for customers

[Update: Increased utilization of aadlfreespace and room rentals through direct promotion via aadl.org and word-of-mouth.
Created more open spaces Downtown that utilize natural light by removing underutilized furniture, and adding comfortable seating, collections, and lowering shelf heights.]
• Coffee shop

[Update: Food and beverage vending areas will be in all new libraries.
Malletts Creek, Pittsfield, Traverwood and Downtown all have these services.]

• Retail space
• Copy/Fax/Scanning Center
• Enhance facilities for Friends' of the Library activities

[Update: Acquire attractive and prominent material display for Friends of Library sales and for Zoom Lends collections Downtown.]

Goal 4: Create healthier workspaces

• Evaluate ergonomic issues

[Update: Ongoing.
Circulation begun use of adjustable work tables for processors at Pittsfield and Downtown.]

Goal 5: Provide adequate, free parking for the public at all AADL facilities

[Update: While this is generally possible at free-standing or shopping mall locations, it is not feasible to make this promise to patrons driving to the Downtown Library. The Library is committed to advocating for dependable convenient access for Downtown patrons, but is unable to provide adequate parking at no charge Downtown.]