The First Mall Library in Illinois

Normally when one thinks of a shopping mall one thinks of stores, restaurants and video arcades. In Alton, the Alton Square mall became the home of the Hayner Public Library District Branch on Nov. 22, 1985.

The May Company, parent corporation of Famous Barr, approached the library district with the idea of opening a library in the mall. One of their shopping malls in the west had a similar library branch that was very successful. The May Company donated 3,800 square feet of retail space on the upper level of Alton Square, adjacent to Famous Barr, for the branch library.

The cost of the library's first year of operation came from a $130,000 LSCA Project PLUS grant through the Illinois State Library. The branch library's success depended on the outcome of the March 1986 referendum. The library district was attempting to expand its boundaries to include the Godfrey and Fosterburg areas. The branch library would either keep its doors open or it would close them on June 30,1986, depending whether the citizens desired library service or not.

The library district hired an architect to help with designing the space at the mall. A construction contract was awarded and work began. Within three months the branch library was ready for its grand opening. Then Illinois Secretary of State and State Librarian Jim Edgar attended the opening ceremony of the branch library. He called the branch "a perfect blend of the public and private sector." He stated further that "This library is unique and very important. It's a good example of having the government and the private sector work together."

In the first three hours that the branch was open, 75 people from Godfrey and Foster townships applied for library cards. After two months of operation 1,500 cards had been issued. During the branch library's first full month of operation, about 4,300 books were checked out, which compared to 7,600 books for the main library. At that point the branch was doing a brisker business than the main library.

The front part of the branch facility contained the circulation desk, periodical racks, shelved books and seating for patrons. A conference room in the back of the area was made available for meetings, lectures and films. The branch started out with about 7,500 books, a fourth of the amount of books that are now available.

One of the concerns that the mall had was whether the bookstores in the mall would feel threatened by having a library located in the mall. The mall's concerns were proven to be for naught; the bookstores and the library became compatible neighbors. Neither the library nor the bookstores compete against each other; in fact, they enhance each other. Over the years a good working relationship has developed. At times the bookstores send customers to the library when they do not have a particular book a customer wants, and, in turn, the library sends patrons to the bookstores when a book is not readily available for checkout.

The library district felt there was a need for a special promotion to help in having a successful referendum. Thus the "Reading Rabbit" was born. Reading Rabbit was a jumbo-sized rabbit who brought children's favorite books to life. The library made the "book bunny" available to entertain children with stories during church and school activities and for parties for 25 or more children, ages 4-10 years. Reading Rabbit was part of the library's campaign to remind voters of the upcoming referendum.

Election day arrived, everyone had worked very hard in trying to make the referendum a success. On March 18, 1986, the Hayner Public Library District gained approval of the residents by an almost 4-1 margin, with 4,322 voting for the issue and 1,119 voting against it. Property owners in Foster and Godfrey townships now had a library they could call their own. The Hayner Branch was one of the first public libraries in a mall in the state of Illinois and one of only three or more in the nation.

The branch continued to very successful. As time went on the meeting room was replaced by stacks of books due to the demand for materials at the branch. Circulation had tripled since opening in 1985 with yearly circulation of 44,662, compared to 144,443 at the close of the 1996-97 fiscal year.

During fall 1996 the library board and administrative staff were presented with an option to expand the branch library into an adjacent space formerly occupied by a pizza establishment. The library was rapidly

*Beverly Schoeberle, Branch Manager; and Joyce Reid, Director; Hayner Public Library District, Alton.

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outgrowing its original space of 3,800 square feet. Discussions centered around whether to remain at the mall, move to a different location with more space or build a new branch facility in the library district. In discussions between board and staff and library users it was very evident that the library users wanted the branch facility to remain at the mall. The changing character of the mall during the last two years — from a totally retail environment to more of a community service center — also reinforced the notion of expanding the branch. The final decision was to remain at the mall and expand into the empty space next door. This would give the library an additional 2,200 square feet.

In its 12-year history the branch library's collections, services and staff had grown and was fully utilizing the original space, leaving little room for newer technologies and services. With the additional proposed area, the branch library would be able to have a children's programming area, additional computer workstations for the public access terminals, Internet access and word processing capabilities for library users, and a leisure reading area with comfortable lounge chairs for reading the daily newspaper or the latest edition of a favorite magazine. The newly planned circulation desk area would be able to accommodate three workstation areas for staff in performing circulation and reference related functions. The plan for the expansion/renovation was based on the idea of reusing as much of the existing structure "as-is" to contain costs. The floor plan groups complimentary service areas and separates areas that need to be isolated. The popular materials area is located near the entry. Reference material and computer terminals are concentrated near the circulation desk, where staff are readily available for support help.

For the expansion/renovation project to become reality, the library board approved the hiring of a library building consultant to conduct a more detailed space needs assessment and prepare a building program, and an architect to prepare preliminary plans based on the program. During this time the library board and administrative staff were preparing preliminary information to submit a proposal for a state public library construction grant through the Secretary of State's "Live & Learn" program. It was learned at a preliminary grant hearing in March 1997 that Hayner Public Library District's construction grant was recommended for funding. Final contracts were signed in fall 1997, and construction for the newly expanded area began on Oct. 13, 1997. The library had been given an estimated time frame of 8-10 weeks for completion. But, as with all plans, changes were made, equipment delays were experienced and the date for re-opening was postponed.

During the construction phase of the project the branch library was able to relocate to an empty retail space where limited services were available for library users. At long last the branch reopened in its new facilities on Feb. 23,1998. Library staff were greeted by anxious library users. Expressions of awe and pleasure were and are being heard by staff from users. Most people are amazed as to what the additional 2,200 square feet has done to the branch facility.

As for the effect and influence that LSCA and "Live & Learn" funds has done for Hayner Public Library District over the years is difficult to summarize. An overall effect has been the increased awareness of library service to the community and surrounding area. With a mall environment the library has drawn people from all areas of the country. The branch library hours of service are the same as the mall with the one exception — the branch opens 30 minutes earlier during the week (9:30 a.m.) to accommodate the early morning walkers. The branch facility is open a total of 78 hours a week including Sundays.

At the open house on April 26,1998, Congressman Jerry Costello complimented the library board and staff for their continued efforts to serve the public. A letter from Governor Jim Edgar stated, "Not only do our libraries provide a positive atmosphere in which to access books, they also serve as a place where ideas can be explored and nurtured." A letter from Secretary of State and State Librarian George Ryan stated, "I commend you in providing a library facility that will meet the information and education needs now and in the future for our ever-changing society."

During FY 1997-98,177,224 people visited the branch library. Library service has and will continue to touch peoples lives in many ways.

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