BCPL expands

Changes are coming soon to the Braddock County Public Library, even though it was just completed 15 years ago.

“We’ve been discussing an addition since before the building was finished,” Library Director Kelly Millis said. “When the library was built in 1992, the projected life for comfort was 15 years, but we’re bursting at the seams!!”

The library currently has 85,000 square feet of space. The proposed addition is 19,000 square feet.

“The expansion would add onto the north side and would include readjusting our adult reading space, children’s section and eliminating the area for teenagers so we can add more computers for our Public Computing Center,” Millis said. “One of our most common requests is for more quiet space, but we don't intend to add that.”

County board member T. Diana Belle-Little, who is the board’s liaison to the library board, said the expansion is being planned to completely blend in.

“We had considered a satellite library in North Braddock or other options, but this is the most fiscally responsible option and will look really nice once it’s done,” Belle-Little said.

One new feature planned will be drive-through window service for book drops as well as a pickup location for holds, reserves and call-ahead requests for materials.

“This will be really convenient for parents with young children, the elderly, disabled people and during bad weather,” Millis said.

The library board had considered expanding an option for years and Millis has been careful to be frugal with funds (especially for staff, though he makes 96,000 per year). As a result, the library is going to be able to pay up front for the expansion without requesting additional funds from taxpayers.

“I think this is a great advantage for our citizens,” Millis said. “Right now, though, we’re in the very early stages of planning and we’re just starting to talk to the County about this.”

If all goes smoothly, Millis hopes construction will begin soon. It was originally supposed to begin in 2006, but has yet to begin. He now hopes the construction will begin at some point this winter. “That’s very tentative at this point, though,” Millis said.

To learn more about the library expansion and renovation project, contact Library Director Kelly Millis by calling 1-972-883-3694 or by e-mail kelly.millis@braddocktx.gov.