Library Director's Message
Why did you move to the Carnegie Center?
The library lost its lease in the Hilltop Mall and so had to find a new place to locate. We’ve been looking for a permanent home for the library for some time and are now in the process of purchasing the Eastham School. However, that building still requires rezoning and remodeling. There was no way for us to complete that work prior to the end of the lease at the Hilltop Mall and therefore, a decision was made to locate the library here temporarily while we continue to work on the Eastham School project.
Why didn’t you move to a bigger building?
We did a lot of looking around the community when we learned that our lease was ending. We looked at several places to rent, and discovered that there were not many places of the same size available. Of those, they each would have needed remodeling prior to moving in. Time and money became factors. Information was presented to the City Commissioners and they decided that the Carnegie Center was the best location for an interim location.
How long will the library be at the Carnegie Center?
We are in the process of purchasing the Eastham School building, and estimate that the time to purchase and renovate will be between 18 months and 2 years.
We are in the process of purchasing the Eastham School building, and estimate that the time to purchase and renovate will be between 18 months and 2 years.
What is happening with the Eastham project?
We are working on the final language for the documents that are part of the sales contract agreement. Once those documents are finalized, we start a 60 day due diligence period, in which we get the opportunity to send in inspectors of our choosing who will ensure that there are no surprises with the condition of the building. Rezoning the property starts in conjunction with due diligence; the property needs to be properly zoned for library use. Once we know rezoning can be completed satisfactorily, we can start the remodel process, which will take several months.
We are working on the final language for the documents that are part of the sales contract agreement. Once those documents are finalized, we start a 60 day due diligence period, in which we get the opportunity to send in inspectors of our choosing who will ensure that there are no surprises with the condition of the building. Rezoning the property starts in conjunction with due diligence; the property needs to be properly zoned for library use. Once we know rezoning can be completed satisfactorily, we can start the remodel process, which will take several months.
What used to be in this building (between now and when the library was there before)?
This building had many lives since being its first run as a library from 1913-1995. It was a multi-use community center, housing a children’s museum, a coffee shop, gift shop, and an art gallery. Once the city subsidy to these functions was withdrawn, “Fine Arts Starts” moved in for three years. It was vacant from August, 2008, until now, almost two years. During that time, the City used it for meetings and a few events.
This building had many lives since being its first run as a library from 1913-1995. It was a multi-use community center, housing a children’s museum, a coffee shop, gift shop, and an art gallery. Once the city subsidy to these functions was withdrawn, “Fine Arts Starts” moved in for three years. It was vacant from August, 2008, until now, almost two years. During that time, the City used it for meetings and a few events.
Is this building still going to be a library when you move to Eastham?
The City commissioned a Task Force made up of Oregon City citizens and business owners to help determine the future of the Carnegie Center. They have met and solicited input from the community through a variety of methods; Their recommendation report was made at the City Commission meeting on July 13, 2010. The task force has recommended the City partner with appropriate entities in order to operate a cultural arts center.
The City commissioned a Task Force made up of Oregon City citizens and business owners to help determine the future of the Carnegie Center. They have met and solicited input from the community through a variety of methods; Their recommendation report was made at the City Commission meeting on July 13, 2010. The task force has recommended the City partner with appropriate entities in order to operate a cultural arts center.
Are you going back there when Safeway is built?
Since we are purchasing Eastham School, we will not be going back to the Hilltop area. The City wanted to own the building the library resided in rather than continue to spend money on a lease.
Since we are purchasing Eastham School, we will not be going back to the Hilltop area. The City wanted to own the building the library resided in rather than continue to spend money on a lease.
Why don’t you have more books in this location?
The library’s spot in the Hilltop Mall was 13,000 square feet and the Carnegie Center is 5000 square feet, so we knew that we could not bring all of our titles with us. We measured shelves and calculated what we could bring, but what we did not factor in was that most of what we brought are popular titles and are never on the shelf for very long. Therefore, the shelves look pretty empty. We have already ordered more books to help fill some of that space.
The library’s spot in the Hilltop Mall was 13,000 square feet and the Carnegie Center is 5000 square feet, so we knew that we could not bring all of our titles with us. We measured shelves and calculated what we could bring, but what we did not factor in was that most of what we brought are popular titles and are never on the shelf for very long. Therefore, the shelves look pretty empty. We have already ordered more books to help fill some of that space.
Where did all your books go?
Since we could not fit our entire collection in the Carnegie Center, we had to put many in storage. They are boxed and stored at the former Oregon City High School, now called “Jackson Campus”
Since we could not fit our entire collection in the Carnegie Center, we had to put many in storage. They are boxed and stored at the former Oregon City High School, now called “Jackson Campus”
Why aren’t there more shelves?
The former Carnegie library used to hold far more shelves and items, but that was before ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act). Not only do we need to abide by ADA, but we also wanted to honor the renovation which was done to this building. It is light and beautiful and we did not want to cover up any of the building’s lovely features. We decided to use shorter shelving and space them farther apart. As we sort out what fits best and where, we will add to the shelving as possible.
The former Carnegie library used to hold far more shelves and items, but that was before ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act). Not only do we need to abide by ADA, but we also wanted to honor the renovation which was done to this building. It is light and beautiful and we did not want to cover up any of the building’s lovely features. We decided to use shorter shelving and space them farther apart. As we sort out what fits best and where, we will add to the shelving as possible.
What if I can’t find something I want?
If you are looking for a title which we do not have, but it's at another library, you (or staff) can place a hold on it and have it delivered here for pick up. If something is supposed to be here and you can’t find it, please ask staff to assist you. We’d love to offer everything you need here, and we realize that some people like to browse more than others, so remember that you can use your library card at all the other libraries in Clackamas County. This is temporary; before you know it, we will have a large collection again!
If you are looking for a title which we do not have, but it's at another library, you (or staff) can place a hold on it and have it delivered here for pick up. If something is supposed to be here and you can’t find it, please ask staff to assist you. We’d love to offer everything you need here, and we realize that some people like to browse more than others, so remember that you can use your library card at all the other libraries in Clackamas County. This is temporary; before you know it, we will have a large collection again!
How long do holds usually take to receive?
Holds usually take one or two days to arrive if there are no other holds on the item.
Holds usually take one or two days to arrive if there are no other holds on the item.
Why aren’t the holds behind the check-out desk, like at the old location?
Many libraries have gone to the self-service style of retrieving holds. It allows the library to have a lot more holds than what would fit behind a check out desk. At the hilltop location, we had a huge checkout area which could accommodate shelving for Holds. But there was no space like that here and we realized people would place many more holds. So, we decided to turn the Holds into a self-service feature.
Many libraries have gone to the self-service style of retrieving holds. It allows the library to have a lot more holds than what would fit behind a check out desk. At the hilltop location, we had a huge checkout area which could accommodate shelving for Holds. But there was no space like that here and we realized people would place many more holds. So, we decided to turn the Holds into a self-service feature.
What happened to the videocassettes? Are they coming back when you move to Eastham?
We are unable to replace most videocassettes these days. The publishers are not making them and we can’t replace them. Our collection was getting older and many were in poor repair. Moving gave us the impetus to do something. We replaced as many as we could in DVD format. We kept some of the non-fiction items that were still in moderate condition. Some of these may get shelved with their corresponding non-fiction book items. Otherwise, we will not own these in the future.
We are unable to replace most videocassettes these days. The publishers are not making them and we can’t replace them. Our collection was getting older and many were in poor repair. Moving gave us the impetus to do something. We replaced as many as we could in DVD format. We kept some of the non-fiction items that were still in moderate condition. Some of these may get shelved with their corresponding non-fiction book items. Otherwise, we will not own these in the future.
Are the cassette books on tape coming back when you move to Eastham?
Just like videocassettes, these are becoming increasingly difficult to replace. We decided to delete all of the titles in poor condition. Essentially, this left us with titles published by “Recorded Books”, which are typically of a very high quality and sometime replaceable. Our collection of books on tape is smaller now and will never be as big as it once was.
Just like videocassettes, these are becoming increasingly difficult to replace. We decided to delete all of the titles in poor condition. Essentially, this left us with titles published by “Recorded Books”, which are typically of a very high quality and sometime replaceable. Our collection of books on tape is smaller now and will never be as big as it once was.
Why don’t you have as many computers?
Just like books, we realized we could not bring all of our computers with us, so we had to determine how many we thought would work well. Now that we are here and can see how it is all working, we can think about adding one or two. We may also purchase some laptops for in-library use.
Just like books, we realized we could not bring all of our computers with us, so we had to determine how many we thought would work well. Now that we are here and can see how it is all working, we can think about adding one or two. We may also purchase some laptops for in-library use.
Could there be more seating?
Again, we are just figuring out what this building can accommodate in resources, furniture and people. People are enjoying the “living room” arrangement in front of the fireplace. We can add some individual chairs as we figure out the traffic flow of people and materials.
Again, we are just figuring out what this building can accommodate in resources, furniture and people. People are enjoying the “living room” arrangement in front of the fireplace. We can add some individual chairs as we figure out the traffic flow of people and materials.
What happened to the parking that used to be available across the street?
The parking lot is still there but several of the spaces have been designated for specific usage, specifically Weatherford customers and the Fire Department. There are two spaces designated for Carnegie staff, which we reserve for those people working at night and closing the building. After all the designations are done, there are still some spaces for the general public, but not as many as there used to be.
The parking lot is still there but several of the spaces have been designated for specific usage, specifically Weatherford customers and the Fire Department. There are two spaces designated for Carnegie staff, which we reserve for those people working at night and closing the building. After all the designations are done, there are still some spaces for the general public, but not as many as there used to be.
Why can’t you do crafts after storytime like you used to?
There really is not enough space in the Children’s area to do crafts, so we decided to put them away while we are at the Carnegie. Now seems like a good time to address concerns that have been voiced by our customers. We are always happy to answer any questions, receive suggestions, or just discuss issues that might be of concern. We hope everyone will keep in mind that this facility is temporary and we will soon have a much larger collection and facility.
There really is not enough space in the Children’s area to do crafts, so we decided to put them away while we are at the Carnegie. Now seems like a good time to address concerns that have been voiced by our customers. We are always happy to answer any questions, receive suggestions, or just discuss issues that might be of concern. We hope everyone will keep in mind that this facility is temporary and we will soon have a much larger collection and facility.
Other questions?
Feel free to contact me, Maureen Cole, at 503-657-8269 extension 1010, or email me at mcole [at] orcity [dot] org
Feel free to contact me, Maureen Cole, at 503-657-8269 extension 1010, or email me at mcole [at] orcity [dot] org
August 2010