Lifetime Citizen Portal Access — AI Briefings, Alerts & Unlimited Follows
Corona library details innovation center design, equipment and timeline; trustees ask about access and surplus furniture
Loading...
Summary
Library manager Danielle Whittington presented updated designs for an innovation center and adult-area refresh, including makerspace equipment, laptop checkout expansion, a new study room, partnerships for VR workforce training, and a construction timeline running from September to May with project completion expected by June 2026.
Danielle Whittington, library manager for the Corona City Library, presented the board with the library’s proposed adult-area refresh and the design for a new innovation center that will house makerspace equipment, collaborative workspaces and a small conference room.
Whittington said the plan removes tall shelving in the area designated for the innovation center, replaces most public desktop computers with a laptop checkout while retaining eight desktops near the reference desk, and installs luxury vinyl tile (LVT) in heavily used entryways and the innovation center. “We are going to create more open spaces, open study, and have something that people would be excited to go in and learn,” Whittington said.
The center’s equipment list presented to trustees included smart boards, virtual-reality headsets, several 3D printers, a Glowforge laser cutter and sewing machines. Whittington described partner programming with local education providers: “With CNUSD, the adult school, we’re doing ESL and workforce training, and that’s going to integrate the use of VR.” She said Norco College will offer career-growth opportunities and general STEM programming in partnership with the library.
Design features include a sink to support messy activities, acoustic panels to reduce sound bleed into the adult area, intentional millwork and storage sized for specific machines, and a room divider so programming and open-create activities can run simultaneously. The proposed conference room capacity was stated as 50 people. Whittington said designer LibraryIQ provided the initial concept and that trustees and city council feedback led to adding a few more rows of shelving in the adult area to preserve print capacity.
Timeline and approvals: Whittington said the project is in the plan-check phase, with the goal to issue the construction bid in August and approve the bid in September. Construction was described as planned for September through May, with the project to be finished in time for a grant opening by June 2026. “We are not going to be closed that entire time,” she said, adding the team will combine projects to minimize downtime.
Trustees asked operational questions: Vice Chair Leonard asked whether desktops would be entirely removed; Whittington said eight desktops would remain near the reference desk and that laptop checkouts (Chromebooks) are in regular circulation. Trustee Liddell asked how the library disposes of old furniture; Whittington said surplus procedures are governed by city purchasing rules and staff would consult purchasing about whether a sale is permitted. Trustee Heinemann asked how the library and its partners will promote programming; Whittington said promotion would be mutual with partners.
Why it matters: the innovation center would expand digital access, workforce training and hands-on learning in Corona while requiring capital work, equipment purchases and coordination with city purchasing and grant timelines.
Ending note: Whittington invited trustees to view the design renderings; the board will see additional project approvals when plan check and bidding return to the board for formal authorization.
