FAQ

We are working on creating a Frequently Asked Question document.  In the meantime, here are some "points to consider" that we often receive questions about.  If you have questions that you would like us to address, please email them to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , and we will attempt to address them in the near future.  Thanks you!

New Kodiak Library - Points to Consider

 

Should it be a one story or two story building?

  • A two story building would require an elevator and a reinforced second story (due to the weight of the books), which could increase building costs significantly.
  • A two story building could be built on a smaller lot, which might be cheaper to acquire.
  • A two story building would require an increase in staff or a reduction in hours so that both floors could be staffed at all times (for safety and service reasons).  Increasing staff would increase costs over the long term.
  • A second story cannot be added to the current library due to structural issues.
  • It may be possible to have a two story building where the first floor is a parking garage, thus keeping the actual library space at one floor.  This could increase building costs.

Can we combine the public library and high school library?

  • The high school library hosts classes of 20-30 students, plus open hour students, almost every period, as well as about 30-50 students before school and at lunch.
  • The high school’s current collection is about 12,000 books, many of which are not duplicated by the public library’s collection.
  • In order to accommodate the high school’s collection and class space needs, the new library would need to be larger, which would probably increase costs.
  • The city would need to cooperate and coordinate with the school district and the Borough to build the building, and to deal with staffing, purchasing, and technology issues, which may slow down the project.
  • High school students would have access to a broader collection of books and a larger staff, as well as better library access after school.
  • Combining would save some of the costs of a new high school, but may transfer some of those costs to the public library due to a need for a larger space.
  • The public library cannot exclude people, so students would be working in the same area with people who would not normally be allowed in the school building.
  • One solution is to have two libraries under one roof, with separate collections and library patron areas but a shared workspace for staff.  The high school section could be restricted to high school students only, and the public library section could be off limits to high school students during school hours. This solution may also increase building costs.
  • If the library were not attached to the high school, students would have to cross streets and parking lots, and to walk outside in inclement weather.

Where will the money come from?

  • Funding will most likely come from a variety of sources.
  • Because the library is owned and operated by the City of Kodiak, the City expects to bear a portion of the cost.
  • KPLA will be conducting a capital campaign to try to attract funding from the Kodiak public, Kodiak businesses and other organizations, charitable foundations, grants, and other sources.
  • Funding may be available through the State of Alaska if the library bill (SB 119) passed in 2007 is funded next year (this bill provides matching grant money).

Can we just keep the current library?

  • The existing library is 9,200 square feet, and two space needs studies in the last five years have shown that the facility needs to be 20,000 square feet to be adequate for a town our size.
  • The existing library has been in use since just after the 1964 earthquake and it has significant structural problems including: no ventilation system, a poor and expensive heating system, inadequate parking and meeting space, safety issues with the electrical system (which preclude expanding the public computer terminals), a breaker system that is easily overloaded, lack of temperature and humidity control in the rare book room to protect historical collections, and diesel and sewer contamination issues under the children’s wing.
  • The amount of money it would take to upgrade the current library may not be significantly less than the costs of a new, larger facility.
  • The current library is not ADA compliant.

Why do we need a library when we have the Internet?

  • The library provides free and equal access to print and online resources for the whole community.
  • Published books will still always be the best source of true and reliable information.
  • Most books, academic databases, magazines, DVD’s, and books on tape that are available for free at the library will not be available for free on the Internet.
  • A library also provides a meeting place, a place for children’s and other programming, and a place for socializing and interacting while learning.
  • The library provides assistance from staff in finding specific information and in using online resources. 
  • Library staff help members of the public learn about and work with online resources and help them to understand the pros and cons of different online sources.
  • Not everyone has Internet access at home, and the library provides it for free (as well as access to other computer programs).
  • The library creates jobs for the community, increases education in the community, and can be an economic development resource.
  • The library is a gateway to the community and community information for new residents, visitors, and established residents.
  • The library can serve as a community gathering place and cultural focus point.