NORMAL - A Colorado group hired to create a master plan for the Normal Public Library started its task Thursday by getting input from the library board and City Council members.

Group3 Planners of Arvada, Colo., and Humphries/Poli Architects of Denver, Colo., will develop a 10-year plan for the library over the next nine months, according to Beth Hager of Group3.

"Right now the library is at a pivotal point with the uptown plan, space and services," she said.

The library, at 206 W. College Ave., is land-locked and before construction of the new College Avenue parking deck, had limited parking.

"We want to plan for the future in response to the community's desire," said Director Brian Chase.

The community will have several chances to offer its input on the library's future, Hager said. A survey will be available in August, Group3 will have meetings with focus groups in September and there will be a public meeting at a date yet to be scheduled.

Members of the library board and the Normal City Council started that process by looking at what other libraries have done and choosing what they would like to see in Normal.

Teen spaces popular

Group3 representative Sharon Rowlen said teen spaces are all the rage now and include gaming areas, a variety of seating and plenty of opportunities to socialize. Rowden said Normal teens will have an opportunity to give their input into the future library during the focus group meetings.

Humphries also presented ideas for sustainability - a big focus in Normal's uptown.

The group was attracted to many of the ideas for Normal including: having laptop computers so patrons could take them anywhere in the library; having a drive-up window for patrons to pick up their books; offering self-checkout; and providing gallery spaces.

Members also considered 18 ideas for an area of focus for the library. The list was whittled to nine including creating young readers, being a place to find facts fast and satisfying curiosity.

Besides those areas of focus, the $49,000 study also will make a recommendation on whether the library should expand or add branches, add or subtract services.