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Building Community - with The Chattahoochee Valley Library
SOUTH COLUMBUS BRANCH RENOVATION & EXPANSION
By Natalie Downey
A library is a welcoming place, a beacon of book-scented possibilities and opportunities for community engagement. In a world where not many things are free, the library is a refreshingly unique, community-centered concept.
The newly renovated South Columbus branch of the Chattahoochee Valley Library system was reimagined for the purpose of serving the community by offering free resources and spaces for people of all ages to explore, connect, and learn.
Once the smallest branch in Muscogee County, the South Columbus library first opened in 1992 when the world looked very different and the internet wasn’t a part of our daily lives. Surveys taken during the planning of the renovation showed that in spite of being the smallest branch, the South Columbus library has the highest use of computers in the network, other than the main branch on Macon Road. As ideas for improving the South Columbus branch were explored, it was obvious that there was a need to improve the footprint of the space to better serve the needs of the community, with a focus on computer and technology availability.
“One of the challenges was that there were no designated spaces for children, teens, and adults,” explains Tiffany Wilson, CVL’s community engagement coordinator. Library staff had noticed that in the afternoons, children and teens would visit the library after school, at which point adults would often leave. The layout was reconfigured to create age-specific spaces with dedicated children’s and teens departments to give these students a place to call their own.
At over 21,000 square feet, the remodeled branch is double the size of the original branch, with an open concept offering more space, easier accessibility to the service desk, and more flexibility for programming. This not only makes the library easier to navigate for patrons, but helps with practical staffing needs.
The remodeled branch includes a teen studio “Maker’s Space” for exploring new ideas and skills with technology. The studio offers a 3D printer, MacBook's, and a green screen for making videos. Community members will teach teens about journalism and broadcasting, building up skills through explorative play and creativity.
A separate computer lab sponsored by AFLAC is the largest computer lab at any library branch in the system. Forty-nine public computers are available, along with two MacBook's, ten iPads, and fifteen laptops. Wi-fi is available throughout the building.
“Internet access is such a big part of our daily lives now,” Tiffany explains. After Covid, many organizations went paperless, and without internet connectivity, people cannot access critical information. From applying for a job to viewing an online patient health portal, people need access to the internet, and the South Columbus library computer lab was designed to help people meet everyday computer-related needs.
In the South Columbus community, the digital divide, or the gap between those who have access to technology and those who do not, is especially present. The South Columbus library aims to lessen that divide by making the internet accessible to everyone in the community.
All ages and stages of life were considered in the planning of the remodeled branch. A children’s area will host story time for little learners, and the Crawl Space is a safe place for toddlers to play. This play area is thoughtfully located right beside some of the computer stations - allowing caregivers the chance to work while keeping an eye on their little ones.
For young learners, STEAM kits and Launchpads, which come with preloaded educational games and don’t require internet, are available for checkout.
One of the top priorities of the new library is building community. “Building community takes many forms. A great facility is one way to do it. Backing up that facility with caring, knowledgeable staff and relevant resources shows CVL’s commitment to South Columbus,” explains Alan Harkness, Library Director. “When the residents, especially kids, see that this library is for them, we believe they will be more engaged, feel safer, and see that there is more available to them than what they might have thought previously. We think that libraries change lives, and we’re here to prove that.”
From book clubs to story time, opportunities to engage with other community members are abundant at the South Columbus library. A group called “Coffee and Conversation” meets regularly, and a public meeting space, which can hold up to 75 people, is available for reservation at no cost and can be booked online at CVLGA.org.
The renovation also included a renewed focus on updating the library’s catalog of materials. The research team dug into the data to discover which genres, authors, and topics were popular among South Columbus community members, allowing the Materials Management Team to individualize the collection offerings at the branch. “We wanted to ensure that the collection we offered reflected the community,” Tiffany says.
New shelving allows for a more comprehensive collection than before. In addition to the 8,000 print items, the floating collection is always available - allowing patrons to order materials from another branch to checkout at their home branch. Any digital offerings on the CVL website are also available to patrons of all branches to enjoy.
Finally, two outdoor spaces allow for more sunny outdoor activities at the branch. With new benches to lounge and plenty of green space for children and teens alike to feel safe and secure to play in.
Funding from both public and private partnerships has made the renovation and expansion of the South Columbus library possible, represented in the many wonderful new and reimagined spaces in the library, like the AFLAC Computer Lab, James G. and Kathryn A. Hillenbrand Study Room, Pete Robinson Meeting Room, Dr. Sharon Williams Self Storytime Area, and Sullivan Family Teen Area.
The South Columbus library is located at 2034 South Lumpkin Road and is open Mon, Tues, Thur, Fri, and Sat from 10 am - 6 pm and Wed from 10 am - 8 pm. For more information visit CVLGA.org.
