Growing with you and with our community

Krause Memorial Library Expansion

For the past 20 years, patrons have been asking with increasing frequency when the Krause Memorial Library would be expanded. It is one of the smallest libraries in the Kent District Library (KDL) system. Yet, it regularly has the highest circulation per square foot of any branch, often double the system-wide average, while visits per capita have been triple the average. Built in 1937, the library was expanded twice, in 1963 and 1989. The population in the area has nearly doubled since the last expansion, but the library hasn’t.

Expansion highlights:

• Grow the library 2.5 times from 9,500 sf to 23,000 sf.
• Improve all forms of accessibility:
  • Widen doors and aisles.
  • Add barrier-free and family restrooms with adult and baby changing stations.
  • Move accessible parking closer to the entrance.
• Add Thursday morning and Sunday hours.
• Add a drive-up book return.

The current library space will:

• Be transformed into the adult wing with five study rooms, a large quiet reading room and designated reading area.

The new wing will:

• Create an accessible library/hub entrance filled with natural light, open space, and places to sit.
• Nearly double the children’s area.
• Include a larger, flexible community room able to host multiple events simultaneously.
• Add a fenced courtyard off the children’s area for outdoor program opportunities.
• Create a teen area complete with study room and space to socialize.