More meeting rooms, kids programs and a café coming soon
By Kyle LoJacono
The Jimmie B. Keel Regional Library is already the most used location in the Hillsborough County system and a future expansion will likely push visits even higher.
The library, part of the Tampa-Hillsborough Public Library System, is one of four in the county that will be expanded by 2013. The new space will likely be used for nontraditional library services, such as more and larger meeting rooms, more space for children’s programs and cafés.
“We’re finding people want more from their libraries than just books,” said Charlie Parker, the system’s executive director. “People are still checking out books and other materials, but they are looking for more.”
Jimmie B. Keel’s circulation, which includes books, DVDs and audio materials, is 340,096 for the current fiscal year, according to system circulation manager Joe Stines. The next highest used location is the New Tampa Branch Library, which has had 261,333 items circulated this year.
“Circulation isn’t up, but people are packing their libraries,” said Israel Grajales, the project manager for the upcoming expansion. “We’re finding from information gathered by residents that they are going to the library more and more to use the computers, meet people and relax. There is usually a long wait list to use the meeting rooms now and these expansions will give more room.
“Another thing we hear about is parents wanting reading rooms for teenagers,” Grajales said. “They feel if kids have areas for themselves, they’re more likely to go and read. They would also be some more kid’s programs like reading to the elementary school students.”
There are also plans to create a café type area with vending machines so people can have some refreshments while reading or in the meeting rooms. Grajales said that idea originated after the Borders bookstore in the area was slated for closure.
“People told us they liked the feeling of relaxing with a book and a snack,” Grajales said. “It would also be a good way to generate some revenue for the department.”
Lutz resident Donna Browne, who visits Jimmie B. Keel every other week for a new book, said she likes the idea of having a café in the northern Hillsborough library, but is happier with the promise of more children’s programs.
“I’d definitely bring my 6-year-old son (Rodney) to reading programs,” Browne said. “Anything to get him interested in reading.”
Browne said she became interested in reading in elementary school where she grew up in New York City. She said she went to a reading program and was read the first chapter of “Hatchet.” She checked out the book and read it within two days.
“It sparked my love of reading,” Browne said.
While the focus is still on actual books, Parker said the new shift is toward electronics in the system. He said the circulation of e-books increased by more than 15 percent from last year and he expects that trend to continue.
“That gives us more space to offer other services,” Parker said.
The project will expand Jimmie B. Keel, which opened in 2001, by 11,000 square feet at a cost of about $2.5 million. Grajales does not anticipate any major disruption to the library’s operating hours or services during the project.
For more information on the Tampa-Hillsborough Public Library System, visit www.thpl.org.
