Borough Invites Proposals to Refurbish Oakland Library

Almost half of the Oakland Library is closed to the public. The borough council is out to remedy that problem.

The governing body has issued a request for proposals (RFP) to architects to examine their 1936 building and tell them how they can renovate it.  Responses to the request are due back Feb. 14, along with a mandatory in-person meeting and walk through of the library facility Jan. 15.

Part of the situation, said Library Director Abigail Sanner, is that the original building of approximately 6,000 sq. ft. was never renovated and has been closed to the public for about ten years. The library now operates out of a cramped 8,000 sq. ft. addition.

No one is happier to see the progress the council is making toward rehabbing the structure than Sanner.

"Libraries play an expanded role in the community. It's not just a place for books," Sanner said. "It's about making sure we have facilities not just for 2014 and 2015, but the space and flexibility for 10 to 15 years in the future."

The Oakland Library does a "lot of programming," Sanner said.

It's used as a major meeting space for community organizations, such as Scouting groups and animal shelter advocates. The facility also gets heavy computer use, especially from the youngsters at neighboring Valley Middle School.

The building has an interesting history. Sanner believes it was originally a federal Works Progress Administration (WPA) project, making it a Great Depression-era structure. While the library building looks as if it was formerly a church into which the library moved, it was actually constructed to replicate the historic 1870 Ponds Church building that originally stood on the site.

"It's an unusual building," Sanner said.

While the closed section of the library is getting most of the notice, the addition where the library is currently housed will be undergoing some modifications as well. Sanner hopes that the changes will help them deliver "strong services for teens. That's something else we're interested in continuing and expanding." 

It's all continuing good news for Oakland residents. "It's a wonderful town," Sanner said. "We deserve the best possible library."