The City and the Newton Public Library board are working with HBM Architects to design and build a new public library in Military Park. The project will be accomplished in phases:

• Phase 1 - Site selection
  • "Test fit" and criteria for potential sites
• Phase 2 - Conceptual design
• Phase 3 - Educational and fundraising campaign
• Phase 4 - Construction

When construction is complete in 2024, library contents will be moved to the new building, and the existing library will be demolished. 

The new library will be 25,000 square feet, with a new parking lot on the northwest side of the new building. A large green space will be created west of the building in the park. The 1880 train engine will remain in its current location.

The new library will have a drive-up book drop-off, glass-walled study rooms, large meeting rooms, young adult space with gaming area, separate space for children’s book collections and programs, technology areas, family restrooms, outdoor seating space and more.

The project cost estimate including design and construction is $10.7 million. The City committed to fund $4.5 million toward the project, and the Library Board pledged to provide $1.2 million in cash if needed. This is in addition to the board’s original commitment of $1.3 million spread out over the life of the 20-year bonds.

A volunteer fundraising committee raised more than $3.2 million in private funds for the project. Over $1.4 million came from foundations, businesses or organizations, and $100,000 was donated by the City of North Newton. About $1.8 million was from individual donors. The committee was led by co-chairs Angela Becker and Ann Adrian and Library Director Cari Cusick in partnership with fundraising consultant Swanson House.

Background

Since 2006, the Newton Public Library board has been working on addressing existing and future facility needs of the library to better serve the community. In 2018, a citizen Library Visioning Task Force was appointed to study the issue and bring a recommendation to the City Commission.

• Planning process timeline 2006-2018
• 2006 Focus Group Assessments
• 2008 Building Assessment
  • Building Assessment Appendix
• Schematic Plans 
• 2009 Visual Condition Assessment
• 2009 Structural Condition Assessment
• 2009 Focus Groups
  • Public focus group summary
• 2010 New concept design
  • Concept design public comments

• Aspen Institute Action Guide for Re-Envisioning Your Public Library
  • Action Guide follow-up
  • Re-Envisioning Newton Public Library responses (2018)

2018-19 Visioning Task Force members:

Angela Becker, senior financial analyst, USD 373 Board of Education
Ellen Yocum, Business Professional Women
Karen Farrell, retired school librarian/teacher
Kathy Schrag, Newton Medical Center librarian
Catherine Goodwin or Kristine Schmucker, Harvey County Historical Society
Kyle Fiedler, Jobs for America's Graduates, Newton Young Professionals
Libby Albers, former Hesston Public Library director
Mallory Morton, stay-at-home mother, USD 373 BOE candidate
Ray Olais, retired teacher, artist, historian
Sherri Rawlins, retired director of the special education cooperative/associate professor of special education
Tim Collins, Make Harvey

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