Lebanon library director outlines plan and early fundraising for dedicated children’s room

Kendra Antilla, Lebanon Library Director, updated the City Council on a planned expansion to create a dedicated children's meeting room and vestibule to relieve crowding during story times.

Antilla told the council the current children's program space is small and regularly fills during story times, blocking access to stacks and staff areas. She said the library currently runs two weekly story times — a baby session and a preschool session — that routinely attract large groups and require use of the community meeting room for crafts and overflow.

Antilla said the city engaged the architecture firm Fletcher, Farr and Iot (the firm that designed the current library and justice center) to prepare drawings. The firm charged $94,100 for the design work; Antilla said $31,100 came from the Harriman Trust and that council previously agreed to cover the remaining roughly $63,000 from contingency. She described a 557-square-foot dedicated children’s meeting space in the drawings and a proposed vestibule to provide stroller parking and a sightline for caregivers. A 2019 construction-cost estimate was $616,000; Antilla said adjusted costs could be roughly $750,000 to $800,000 because of inflation.

Antilla described fundraising to date and next steps. She said the library’s "Plinko" donation box averages about $25 a month, the Friends of the Library have donated about $20,000 per year for the last two years and are pursuing a planned donation of $100,000. Antilla reported total funds raised so far of $45,389.11 and said an online donation portal will go live pending council’s meeting that night. She said the project team will continue pursuing grants and private donations and that construction timeline depends on fundraising and grant success; she estimated a goal of completing the project within five years but said that timeline was not guaranteed.

Council members asked about alternate uses for the room when not used for story time (Antilla said the space is designed for after-school and teen programming), restroom access (Antilla said the addition would not include new plumbing and the library’s existing restrooms — women’s, men’s and a family restroom — would remain available) and glazing (Antilla confirmed the new room is mostly glass). City Manager Ron was mentioned as a resource for evaluating whether the city should act as its own general contractor.

No formal council action was taken; Antilla’s presentation was received as an update and staff will continue design, fundraising and grant pursuits.

Antilla concluded by noting summer programming, teen volunteer support and dependence on state and federal library grant funding for some services.