Issues Relating to Current Tulare Public Library
- noncompliance with even basic Americans with Disabilities Act requirements
- inadequate space and infrastructure for new technologies
- severely undersized areas for youth collections, programs and seating
- inadequate display space for library materials of all types
- inefficient and undersized staff work areas
- undersized area for literacy program
- inefficient energy design
- not enough small meeting rooms for group study, small meetings or literacy
tutoring
- current layout and design allows for no quiet areas for reading & studying
- building in poor condition overall (carpet, roof & mechanical systems)
- shortage of tables and chairs of all types and sizes
- lack of space for our youth --nearly half of the materials we check out
are youth-related, yet we are only able to provide a small and somewhat sad
area devoted to our kids of all ages.
- In 1962, when the main part of the library was constructed, Tulare had
a population of under 15,000. We are now fast approaching 50,000 and our current
facility is too small to accommodate our service demands.
- Our city would be better served by a library that is more centrally located.
In 1962, the 99 Freeway bypass of our downtown was still new, and nearly all
of the activity in our city was west of Blackstone Street. This is no longer
true, and a new downtown location would benefit all citizens. The possibilities
of expanding our current library have been studied in great detail. Given
the location, the condition of the current library and the competing space
needs of both the Tulare Museum and the Senior Center, our current site is
not suitable for another remodel/expansion project.
