NORMAN — Editor's note: This is the first in a two-part series exploring the challenges facing the Pioneer Library System and, more specifically, Norman Public Library. The series concludes Monday.
It was a bad news, good news scenario.
Borders Bookstore, one of three large-scale brick and mortar book vendors in Norman, was closing its doors. That meant one less coffee shop and cafe, one less live music venue on weekends, one less place where people could sit and sip and read.
As the old adage goes, when one door closes, another one opens.
The Borders building went up for sale and the soft economy made it affordable. Pioneer Library System was able to pick up the facility for $1.6 million. Pioneer had long since outgrown current facilities and has been leasing additional space for over a decade at 1210 McGee, the old Hollywood Theater, and at 226 West Gray Street across the street south of the Norman Public Library.
The building’s purchase opened up new possibilities for Pioneer Library System and for Norman.
Pioneer will consolidate administrative offices in the Borders facility. But the Borders building offers more space than Pioneer needs. As a result, the library system is offering to lease between 5,000 and 7,000 square feet at a rate below market value to the city to establish a west side satellite.
Partnership between Pioneer and Norman Public Library is not new — in fact it’s been going on for several decades. But as library services evolve to meet changing needs by customers, the relationship between Pioneer and the city of Norman is also evolving.
Pioneer serves Cleveland, McClain and Pottawatomie counties through 10 branch locations, including Norman. Libraries are supported through the county millage collected as property taxes in the county where the library is located. The home municipality funds the building, furniture, utilities and maintenance. In this way, each city approves and supports their local library.
In the case of Norman Public Library, however, there has always been a special arrangement with Pioneer which has administrative offices at the Norman branch. Anne Masters, Pioneer director, said the arrangement made in the l960s provided space to Pioneer while Pioneer provided the telephone system for the two entities to share. That relationship has continued through the decades.
Pioneer’s invitation to house a west side satellite in the 25,000 square-feet building, formerly owned by Borders, is currently under consideration by the city.
“The Borders facility offers new possibilities for public library service for west Norman,” said Lisa Wells, assistant director for library services. “We are actually just wanting to expand services we already have.”
If Norman chooses to participate, the west side satellite would offer children’s programming, Internet computers and WiFi service. The proposed 15,000-book collection would focus on current and popular items with a fast turnover rate, but library patrons also will be able to designate the satellite location as a pickup site for hold items.
Popular features such as the 747 quick movie check out — a free service similar to the commercial Red Box — WiFi connections and a coffee shop are also in the plans.
If the city decides not to participate, Pioneer will move the current automated/self-serve station and children’s storytime programs from Sooner Mall to the new location in the former Borders building. Plans include leasing out the coffee shop area to serve the public.
Joy Hampton 366-3539 jhampton@ normantranscript.com
