FAQ’s
WHY A NEW LIBRARY IN GRIMES?
Built in 1994 to serve a population of 7,000 residents, our current 6,400 square foot facility has served us well. However, since 1994, the City of Grimes has doubled its population and current projections anticipate growth reaching over 35,000 residents by 2030.
From 2015 to 2019, your library saw a 61% increase in number of card holder and a 43% increase in circulated items.
Our new 22,000 square foot facility will provide more space for work, study and collaboration as well as more social, programming, and play spaces to better serve our growing community. We anticipate adding 4 study rooms, a sensory room, drive-thru drop box, additional public computers, state-of-the-art technology, 1 meeting room, a large children’s area, dedicated teen space, drive up window, and approximately 25,000 new items to our collection making the Grimes Public Library a valuable gathering place for individuals, families, and businesses in our community.
WHAT IS THE TIMELINE OF THE PROJECT?
The project began planning in 2018 with the hiring of a library consultant who identified the need for a larger library space in Grimes. In 2019, residents of Grimes voted in favor of passing the Local Option Sales and Services Tax (L.O.S.S.T.) and in February 2021, the City of Grimes committed funding of $8 million to the project. Grants and a community match campaign to raise $600,000 began in early‐2021 and the project is expected to go to bid early fall-2021 and begin construction summer-2022. Construction is anticipated to conclude in January 2024.
WHY ISN’T THE LIBRARY GOING TO BE BIGGER?
The library did a space needs assessment in 2018 that demonstrated a building of at least 30,000 square feet would be needed to address the needs of the residents of Grimes and the Greater Des Moines metro area over the next 20 years based upon the predicted population.
The City allocated the monies they deemed appropriate for this piece of social infrastructure. With prices continuing to rise, Covid making fundraising difficult, it has been decided the project will continue but on a smaller scale. The building has strategically been placed upon the piece of property so the City has the opportunity to expand the library at a later date to better meet the needs of the future population.
WHERE WILL THE LIBRARY BE LOCATED?
The Library will be located at the south east corner of the intersection of N James Street and NE Beaverbrooke Boulevard at the entrance to the Heritage Development on land owned by the City.
HOW MUCH WILL THE LIBRARY COST?
It will cost $9.45 million to build the library and purchase and install the additional furnishings, equipment, circulation materials and other miscellaneous features needed.
HOW WILL THE OPERATIONAL BUDGET BE IMPACTED?
With a larger building, we anticipate needing an additional $500,000 in operational costs to be phased in over five years starting in fiscal year 2023.
WHERE WILL THE MONEY COME FROM?
The property was purchased by the City for $750,000 from 2019 General Operating (GO) funds. The City Council has committed $8 million towards construction costs: $1,000,000 from 2020GO, $3,000,000 from 2021GO, and $4,000,000 from 2021 Local Option Sales and Services Tax (L.O.S.S.T.) funds. All other monies needed to complete the project will need to be fundraised. Taxes will not be raised to fund this new facility.
WHEN IS CONSTRUCTION ANTICIPATED TO BEGIN AND WHEN IS THE NEW FACILITY EXPECTED TO OPEN?
Dependent upon the fall 2021 bidding process, the new facility has an expected Grand Opening of early winter 2024.
WHAT WILL HAPPEN TO THE EXISTING LIBRARY?
The City of Grimes will continue to utilize this space as a park and possible City Hall and new Rec facility. Updates to the existing park and facility are described within the City’s overall Park planning document.
WHO WILL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR DEVELOPING AND MANAGING THIS PROJECT?
This project will be spearheaded by the Library Board of Trustees, Library Director, City of Grimes Construction Advisory Committee, and Grimes Public Library Friends Foundation Committee, under direction of the Mayor, City Council and City Administrator.
WHAT WILL BE IN THE NEW LIBRARY?
We anticipate adding 4 study rooms, a sensory room, drive-thru drop box, additional public computers, state-of-the-art technology, 1 meeting room, a large children’s area, dedicated teen space, drive up window, and approximately 25,000 new items to our collection making the Grimes Public Library a valuable gathering place for individuals, families, and businesses in our community.
WILL THE LIBRARY HAVE TO CLOSE?
GPL will be closed for four to five weeks before the opening date. This will allow us to move the collection, technology, and equipment over to the new building. Also, we will need time to install new furnishings, equipment, and need time for staff training on all the new technology, and systems.
HOW CAN I HELP MAKE THE NEW LIBRARY A REALITY?
Donations in the form of a check can be made payable to GPL Friends and delivered or mailed to the library at 200 NE Beaverbrooke Blvd.; Grimes, IA 50111.
Or, go online to grimeslibrary.org. On the top menu, click on Support the Library. (https://secure.qgiv.com/for/gpl)
Pledges & Donations can be accepted as a one time or multi-year gift (up to 3 years for gifts of $5,000 and greater). Gifts of $1,000 and greater will be permanently recognized at the Library. Questions can be directed to Cheryl Heid, Director Grimes Public Library, at (515) 986-3551 or heid@grimeslibrary.org.