We are so excited to be bringing this project to the community and move forward with the expansion and restoration of our beloved library.”

Cathy Ryba, Library Board President

The D. R. Moon Memorial Library entertained a full house Wednesday night at their June 21st public forum on the upcoming library building project. Space was cramped highlighting the need for library expansion as Library Director Elizabeth Miniatt, Library Board President Cathy Ryba and Val Schute from River Architects discussed ideas for the proposed addition and welcomed feedback from the community. Miniatt described the relevance of the library today highlighting the number of program attendees and visitors to the library. She mentioned that due to the need for adequate space and updates, many in the area are limited or not able to use the resources that the library currently offers.

Board President Ryba shared how the expansion could be used by our community including an area for seniors, children, and a much-needed open ended young adult space where teens can safely meet. She described the possibility of a large community room that could feature a kitchenette and would be available for community use during and after library hours and would only be “limited in use to your imagination.” She added, “It would be truly a universal space for the entire community. We are so excited to be bringing this project to the community and move forward with the expansion and restoration of our beloved library.”

Grateful for the community support for the library thus far, Ryba remarked, “With continued community support we can provide the next generation a safe public space that will serve Stanley’s needs well into the future.”

Schute discussed how libraries today have evolved from the libraries in previous generations and how important it is to stay relevant and flexible to the ever-changing community needs. With the current building space at 3,546 square feet, the expansion could potentially offer 10, 560 square feet costing in the range of upwards of $4 million. He called on the community to bring their voices and ideas to the project as he mentioned that the building project is in the very early stages of planning. Due to the D.R. Moon Memorial Library being listed on the National Register of Historic Places, there are certain rules and limits that will affect the restoration and future expansion. Inclusion was the theme for the evening as the proposed expansion would look to unify the library for those with physical challenges and make it accessible for all. Schute called on the public to, “Look at all of the options and think outside of the box.”

As the evening commenced, Board President Ryba thanked the community for being there and asked them to go out and talk about it. “Share it with people because it’s only through communication that we are able to show that this is going to be a much-used project by the whole community. “We need input. We need your ideas.”