A Little Goes a Long Way: Transforming Catawba County Library
Heading into the pandemic, Catawba County Library was facing some key challenges: their seven locations were short-staffed, struggling to meet the demands of the community. The branches were suffering from space constraints and dated, lackluster facilities. But with a clear vision in mind – "Connect, Explore, Grow" – Catawba County Library set out to revitalize its offerings and become a true destination for patrons of all ages.
Rolling Out New Services
The Library’s first major project was designed to expand their outreach in the community. Using $50,000 from an LSTA grant, Director Siobhan Loendorf was able to add a library locker in a high-need community in Hickory. But that's just the beginning.
Next, Loendorf and her team decided to tackle the St. Stephens Branch. Following the strategic plan closely, they recarpeted, repainted, and redesigned the children’s area with new browsing bin shelving. A ball run wall and Main Street kiosk from Burgeon Group added some early literacy manipulatives, giving kids and their families more to do than just picking out books and going home.
The team also created a separate Spanish language collection with new shelving. Giant bookstore style displays were added to the entrance. Acrylic mag boxes improved the magazine displays, and booth seating was added near the teen area.
The biggest change was dividing a computer lab into two study rooms. By using portable dividers, staff can still use it as a large conference room. Further, moving the computers out of the lab and onto the main floor, with deep carrels for privacy, positioned them closer to the service desk and printer, providing much better service overall. With under $300,000, they managed to breathe new life into the branch, creating study spaces, upgrading technology, and transforming the space into a library that is anything but "blah."
But the innovation doesn't stop there. The team tackled the Southwest Branch next with another $50,000 LSTA grant. To make the space more of a family destination, the library added cool seating, a light table from Kodo Kids, caterpillar-shaped ottomans, and engaging STEM activities for kids. Loendorf worked with the Catawba County Partnership for Children to pick out the manipulatives. Working again with Burgeon Group allowed them to purchase pieces that can be rotated with the St. Stephens branch.
Kodo Kids Light Table
Spaces for Adults, Too
At the Main Library in Newton, as with many of their locations, there was a desperate need for office spaces. Loendorf commented, “It was too expensive to build rooms. And it’s hard to write a grant to build stuff. But we realized we could use LSTA funds to purchase five pre-fabricated office spaces.” The pre-fab rooms fit one to four people. Each multi-person room comes with a camera and adjustable monitor, fully-equipped for activities such as telehealth, online school, or job interviews. The spaces are soundproof up to 40 decibels. All this was funded by another $50,000 LSTA grant.
Upcoming Plans
Looking ahead, the library shows no signs of slowing down. Loendorf has applied for a Digital Champion grant offering up to $400,000 to each county in North Carolina, which would allow the Library to hire two full-time employees responsible for digital literacy training in the community. The focus of their outreach would be seniors, veterans, ESL, and other disadvantaged populations. If the grant is awarded, the Library will work closely with veteran’s associations, Centro Latino, and various senior groups to make digital literacy accessible to all.
The Library is also working on how to better serve kids with sensory needs at all locations. To start, they are focusing on neurodivergent kids in the children’s area at Newton. Given the limited space, they are taking a universal design approach. Working with the local organization Partnership for Children, they’ll buy equipment available for all, but particularly helpful for those with sensory needs, such as U-shaped chairs and a tent for privacy. Loendorf was particularly excited about a projection screen that allows projection onto the floor, helping those with sensory issues see cause and effect.
Impact
Now, let's talk impact. Picture this: circulation numbers soaring, public perception shifting, and kids lingering long after storytime ends. That's the power of strategic planning in action.
With a focus on inclusivity and innovation, Catawba County Library is poised to continue making waves in the years to come. And as for what they're most proud of? Well, it's everything – from the transformation of their branches to the sound of children playing in their newly revitalized spaces. By revamping their spaces and services based on feedback from residents, Catawba County Library has cemented its status as a community hub – a place where people come to connect, explore, and grow.
