Written by: Htet Myint
City Manager Wayon Hines presented a proposal for an addition and partial renovation to the Collegedale Public Library at a commission workshop meeting held on Nov. 27, 2023.
The proposed project will add 1,200-1,500 sq. ft. to the library. The cost for the remodel will be around $700,000, according to Hines. Upon further discussion, instead of a renovation, Commissioner Tonya Sadler suggested the building of an entire new library at The Commons.
The cost for building a new library is estimated to be around $5 million, according to the agenda for a commission workshop that was held on Jan. 22, 2024. During the meeting, city representatives agreed to pause plans for the library until commissioners decide whether to go ahead with a remodel or build an entirely new library at The Commons.
Sadler said, “Concerning the library expansion, it is still only in conversation as a possible capital expense. We have not decided if it will happen, or in what capacity it could happen. I’m confident that we have come to a consensus to not expand the current library. Instead, we are looking at either giving the current building a facelift (new carpet, floor layout, etc.) or making a new library part of the phase 4 expansion on the Commons campus.”
Sarah Richardson, assistant library director at the Collegedale Public Library, described growing pains at the library due to inadequate space.
“On a monthly basis we have to move programs that we are hosting at the library next door into the West Room [City Hall], because we physically don’t have the space,” Richardson said.
Richardson attributed the library’s rise of patrons to its goal of being a community center, citing a 38% increase in the amount of people getting library cards from October 2023 to January 2024.
Richardson mentioned that programs that the library hosts on a monthly basis, including family bingo night, an American Sign Language class and a family craft night. Furthermore, once a year the library hosts an escape room, which usually has a large waitlist. During the summer, the library hosts readings with different groups, including the Tennessee Aquarium and Chattanooga Zoo.
According to Richardson, Southern Adventist University students and professors can get a free library card by showing their Southern ID at the library desk.
“We’re really excited to get more students, professors and families at the library,” she said.
