Barrier Free Libraries

When the Briggs Lawrence County Public Library Board of Trustees began serious discussions about using its remaining capital improvements funds in the summer of 2003, the first question asked was “where or what is the greatest need we currently have?” 

A decade of expansion starting in 1990 saw the county library system grow from just the Main Library in Ironton to four additional branch libraries in communities around the county. The need for more space at the Main Library, and even the need for more space in branch libraries which were already outgrowing their buildings, were easily identified needs.

However, a facilities assessment survey, undertaken by Architect Shawn Walker of Ashland, Kentucky, pointed out that some of the most serious problems facing the Library system were the barriers to handicap accessibility at the Main Library. All of the recently added branch libraries were fully handicap accessible, with ground floor entrances or code compliant ramps. All had handicap accessible restrooms, doorways and interior spaces that provided sufficient space for barrier free access throughout. 

“It did not take long to assess the library building in Ironton to see the difference between what was acceptable in 1960 and what accessibility issues would need to be addressed in 2004,” Architect Shawn Walker stated. “The existing structure met few of the current standards, and with limited space to expand into, the planning process required the Board and the administration to make their decisions with consideration of accessibility a priority.”

The Main Library originally was a two story building of about 11,000 square feet, and except for a public meeting space on the second floor, was planned primarily for patron services to be on the first floor. As such, the two floors were connected by stairs intended for staff access. In addition, the restrooms on the first floor were not fully compliant with accessibility requirements. 

In the early 1980’s, still prior to the handicap accessibility requirements, the second floor of the Library was renovated to accommodate patron services. A genealogy/local history department was added, and the children’s collection was relocated to the second floor. A second floor entrance was enlarged for patron use, and included the addition of a wheelchair ramp. However, these renovations did not include interior wheelchair access to the second floor. 

Since the original stairwell was not large enough to accommodate a code compliant lift, patrons using a wheelchair, or parents using strollers, would have to leave the building and go around the exterior to enter the building to the other floor.  The only paved route for them to use was to go up or down a single lane driveway ramp which led to a rear parking lot. The visibility of this ramp was very limited, and there were many close calls over the years with cars entering or exiting while someone was trying to maneuver up or down the parking lot ramp in a wheelchair or pushing a stroller. 

With the movement of the children’s collection to the second floor, it became necessary to constantly staff circulation desks on each floor to check patrons in and out.

There were other issues with the older building, but the need to provide a barrier free environment was the single most important factor in the Board’s decision to expend its capital improvement funds to renovate the Main Library. 

With site preparation and foundation work started in late 2005, the building of the new wing was undertaken in the spring of 2006. By November of that year, the expansion was completed and approved for occupancy. The children’s department was moved into the new wing, which also included two new entryways with push button automatic doors, a new elevator, and four new handicap accessible restrooms. The circulation desk was also situated in the new wing so that staff would have the ability to monitor the entire circulating collection from that point. 

The older portion of the building was completely renovated in the last half of 2006 and the building was fully occupied in May of 2007. Space is now available to allow comfortable passage among all the shelving so that patrons using wheelchairs, or those pushing strollers, can move freely among the Main Library’s full collection. Computer tables and computer lab counters are all high enough to allow full access by wheelchair, and the library now keeps wheelchairs in each branch building for patrons to use. The public meeting room and Genealogy/Local History room are also now large enough to provide easy access.

In the end, the building’s usable space was almost doubled to 20,000 square feet. In addition, a complete renovation of the old building provided a new roof, HVAC systems, wiring, plumbing, carpet, lighting, windows and even exterior services. The total cost of the expansion and renovation was $2.2 million from funds that the previous Boards and Administrations had so carefully saved over the years. 

“There are still calls for more programming space or more shelf space in the branch buildings”, said Library Director Joe Jenkins, “but the obvious need for the renovations made at the Main Library were something that all the staff could agree on, and the accessibility of all the Library systems buildings is something that we are proud of.”

The improvements made to the Main Branch of the Briggs Lawrence County Public Library system make it a truly “public” building for the first time.