The residents of Kentwood are getting a new library! Yesterday, voters approved a millage for the new Kentwood Library location by a 61% – 39% margin. It’s apparent that a number of citizens in Kentwood value the services of the Kent District Library and we couldn’t be more appreciative. We promise to continue working hard to see that we provide the best in library services and materials to our Kentwood customers and believe our new facilities will enhance our ability to do so. We thank everyone who gave their support and look forward to a great new library location in Kentwood!
Posted by: Eric
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on Wednesday, August 6th, 2008 at 9:17 am and is filed under News, Parents & Kids, Teens.
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August 6th, 2008 at 10:42 am
When is the project going to start and when is the expected completion date?
August 6th, 2008 at 11:37 am
Where will the new facility be located? What are the plans for the old site?
August 6th, 2008 at 12:17 pm
Congrats, we are moving out of the area, but we are happy for you. Mrs. D doesn’t wont be doing story time, in a room with a roof leak, and no heat.
You guys deserve the best.
Thank You!!!
August 6th, 2008 at 4:09 pm
The new Kentwood library will be built just south of the Kentwood city hall on Breton SE.
The city wants to get started right away in order to break ground in the Spring of 2009 and open the new library some time spring or summer of 2010. Kentwood city staff are preparing a request for proposal to design and build the library. They plan on sending out the RFP for bid as early as September 2008.
Cheryl Cammenga
Kentwood Branch Manager
August 6th, 2008 at 4:13 pm
The City of Kentwood plans on selling the current library building and property in order to help pay for the new facility.
Cheryl Cammenga
Kentwood Branch Manager
KDL
August 6th, 2008 at 7:24 pm
Congratulations Kentwood Staff!! And KDL too, of course. We will miss you terribly at the end of Pickett St., but you will still see our smiling faces just as often at the new building. Thanks so much for all your hard work!!
Lari
For the 3 generations of
Dunmire Library users
August 6th, 2008 at 7:28 pm
Check out kentwoodlibrary.org for more information.
August 6th, 2008 at 7:42 pm
That’s great! I can’t wait to see the new branch. We love the library!
August 7th, 2008 at 2:13 pm
I’m so excited for a new library!
August 7th, 2008 at 3:21 pm
I am thrilled that the millage passed and also very happy to learn of the new location which will be much more convenient for me. I voted “yes” even before I knew the location!
Will the new library have a drive up book return like the Cascade branch?
August 8th, 2008 at 4:01 pm
Thanks to all of you for your thoughts and good wishes. We(the Kentwood Branch staff) are thrilled! We will be working closely with the City of Kentwood to build a really great library!
Yes, if at all possible, given the site, etc., we will try to have a drive up book drop. I think everyone would like to see this feature in the new library.
August 9th, 2008 at 8:40 am
Which library will be closing? What location?
August 11th, 2008 at 1:49 am
I am quite disappointed to hear about this decision. I would have voted yes for rebuilding at the same location or a renovation of the current building, but the fact that there will be a new location makes me very angry. Not only will it be three times as far away, but I have been attending the current location my entire life and have become quite familiar, and dare I say, attached to it.
Additionally, the odds are great that this new library will be tacky and ugly in appearance just like the (sort of) new Wyoming branch, which turns me off about the whole idea even more. It is unlikely that I will continue to use the Kentwood branch near as much, if at all.
August 13th, 2008 at 8:45 am
Mixed feelings. I think it is wonderful that Kentwood is getting a new facility, but also wonder why it has to be located so far south. It seems to me that this leaves a huge gap in area served. It seems to be a trend to move everything farther out, and although I realize there is more open space available in the outskirts of town, it appears that basically a new town is being established rather than serving the one that is already here.
August 14th, 2008 at 4:57 am
Congratulations to the Kentwood Staff and citizens as well as KDL ALL! This is great news and a powerful show of support from your community. I am excited to see the unfolding of the new facility. You all deserve the BEST!
August 18th, 2008 at 9:05 pm
Pepper & Amelina: As a Kentwood resident of many years now, I have grown attached to the library as well, but nothing about the move seems overly burdensome. It isn’t even two miles east of its present location (less than a 30-minute walk or 10-minute bike ride). Additionally, it looks (from a map of municipalities) to be located much nearer to the center of Kentwood than the old library. Just because it is moving away from your neighborhood does not mean that it is moving away from town. I also don’t understand how the aesthetics of the building are of any matter – this is very subjective anyway. It sounds like the current building has issues, even if it were to be considered attractive… but I suppose 100% of the people cannot be pleased 100% of the time – thankfully, that’s not the way democracy works
I am very excited about the new library, and hope to still be living in Kentwood when it is open to the public. Cheers to the library staff for their commitment to literacy, and to all the voters for theirs as well!!!
August 20th, 2008 at 12:08 pm
Congrats on the new Library and new location. The reason that everything keeps moving south, is because there are few location sites left near the original library location that are large enough real estate and suitable for the bigger library. It’s called: “urban spraul.” I don’t like that it will be farther away, when I used to be able to walk one block and be there, either, but its just a fact of life.