Hutto developing first library master plan
By Samantha Bryant
Wednesday, 14 December 2011
HUTTO — The City of Hutto is in the process of creating a new master plan for its public library, which the city could adopt in February or March.
At a Dec. 12 public input meeting, Parks and Recreation Director Mike Hemker said the master plan will be the first one the city has developed for the Hutto Public Library, and it will guide city staff on how to use the existing, 4,000-square-foot facility at 205 West St.
“We want to maximize this [building] to our greatest potential,†he said.
The current library is housed in a former fire station, and library staff is only using about a third of the space, he said.
The city held a public meeting Dec. 12 to gather input from citizens on what features they would like to see in the building. About a dozen people came to the meeting and heard a presentation on possible features for the library including work spaces, lighting, checkout counters, children’s reading areas, computer rooms, book displays and public artwork.
City staff then gave attendees fake money to place in envelopes underneath photos of the features they would most like to see in the library. Library Manager Yasmeen Jehangir said the money counts will give staff a better idea of what projects are a priority for Hutto citizens.
Library advisory board members said the space, layout and design will drive what programs the library can offer.
People were also able to take a survey about the library at the meeting. The survey will be available at the library and online at www.huttotx.gov until mid-January.
Antenora Architects and library design consultants 720 Design will take the information gathered from the public meeting and surveys and develop the library master plan. The Hutto Public Library Master Plan will also include long-range planning for when the library outgrows its current space.
 “Out of this, we will get a better estimate for what renovations will cost,†Hemker said.
Hemker said the Hutto Public Library Master Plan could be adopted in early 2012, and improvements could be made in 2013 or 2014.