In my married life my husband frequently discusses with me the difference between wants and needs as in, "You want that new motorcycle Bev, but you don’t need it." This conversation is not a fun one for me.

I have discovered as we work toward completing the first phase of our library design process that part of the dilemma of building a new library is determining wants vs. needs. This too is not a fun activity. Furthermore, wants sometimes run into reality. I wanted a 33,000 sq. ft. building. I faced the reality of $$$$$. The library project is now divided into two phases because of the whole money "reality" thing.

Wants and needs—money and reality are the driving factors in determining the Scottsbluff Public Library of the future. We need a larger library and along the way the amount of money that we are able to raise is our reality and separates the wants from the needs.

The construction cost estimate for the library project is at $3.4 million. This is just the bricks and mortar. (The total project cost is $4.1 million but that includes things like chairs, etc.) We NEED to keep the construction cost at the $3.4 million figure. Cost estimates are done along the way to make sure we stay within budget. Although the construction cost climate right now is favorable to say the least, construction on the Scottsbluff Public Library isn’t planned to begin until November 1. No one knows what the construction climate will be in November. So the Library Board and staff as well as city officials face the whole wants vs. needs thing and factor in money and reality.

Can you see where I am going with this?

Difficult choices needed to be made this past week. Along with the Leo A. Daly architectural team we at the library are developing a "Want List" of options that will be included in the building if a donor steps forward to help us fund them. Otherwise, they will not be included. Also, after careful analysis and discussion the above mentioned stakeholders arrived at two important decisions. They are as follows:

1. The new addition will be added to the eastside of the building thus preserving the west parking lot. Some parking will be added to the south but for the most part Constitution Park to the south will be preserved. I know this will come as welcome news to many Scottsbluff residents. We hope that donors will step forward to help improve this park and turn it into the "Learning Garden" we envision it to be with a covered gazebo or shell for library/community programs and events with some bermed or landscaped seating.
2. The building footprint will be reduced by 1,300 sq. ft. This will not reduce the size or floor plan of the children’s or teen libraries. It will affect the growth factor for the adult collection a bit.

All the absolutely needed elements are in tact. After a week of dealing with wants and needs vs. money and reality, I am overjoyed with the collaborative effort of all involved in this process. When we ground-break in November, we will begin a new era in Scottsbluff with a modern, convenient, energy efficient library that is truly "Your Community Living Room", and it will be built within budget.

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