Planners launch search for new library site

Sisters resident "pins" the location of her home for a library study. Photo by Conrad Weiler

Sisters should have a new, $1.4 million library by 2008. Where that library will be has yet to be decided.

The Deschutes Public Library District board approved a timeline for library development at a Wednesday, October 23, meeting held at the Sisters Fire Hall.

The approved timeline calls for purchase of property during the current fiscal year with March 3, 2003 as the proposed deadline for this transaction.

The new library is scheduled to be completed during the 2007-08 fiscal year.

Between now and the deadline date, a four-member management team will gather public input about where to site the new library.

The management team appointed by DPLS Director Michael Gaston includes himself, Todd Dunkelberg, Redmond Library Manager and Assistant DPLS Director, Peg Bermel, Sisters Library Manager, and Tom Hogstad, Library District Facility Manager.

The recently built La Pine library footprint of 8,000 square feet will be used as a guideline for the new Sisters Library. The Sisters site will have to accommodate that size library or larger, according to Gaston.

"The overarching goal of this process is to identify the site which supports the highest utilization of the new Sisters area library by the broadest segment of the local population," Gaston said.

The Sisters Library is conducting a survey of patrons to gather information as to where people live and places they visit before and after using the library.

The library bulletin board contains a local map with colorful pins to indicate library users' home locations.

Gaston pointed out that Sisters has many outlying residential communities.

"Studies have demonstrated that a library facility that is conveniently located in a well lighted, active neighborhood will increase library usage by 20 to 30 percent over a more isolated or less desirable location," Gaston said.

Gaston reminded his audience that, "This is the first step (today) and every journey starts there.

"The final decision will be a judgment call."