New Roosevelt Branch Project

The Roosevelt Branch serves the largest population in the county and the branch’s use has been increasing, reaching over 50,000 visits annually in the past few years. The library system seeks to build a new Roosevelt Branch that will address various needs that currently cannot be met including: community meeting space, study/small group rooms, increased space for technology, adequate facilities for staff operations, increased children's and teen space, and better building efficiency and accessibility.

Jones & DeMille, partnering with Kim Campbell & Associates Architecture, were selected by the Library Board as the project architect. BHI of Vernal was selected as the lowest prime-contractor bidder for the project. The library board has also purchased the softball fields at Central Park lying along 200 W for the new library's location. The Permanent Community Impact Board authorized a $1,316,000 grant and a $3,949,000 loan for 30 years @ 0.5% to Duchesne County Municipal Building Authority for the project. The groundbreaking was held on July 27, 2021 and construction began on August 2, 2021.

Various project progress documents and photos are attached here. They include: Periodic progress photos, a schematic floor plan, renderings of the exterior, a site plan, and the feasibility study that gave early estimates and ideas on possible designs for a remodel of the current Roosevelt Branch versus a new build. Also on this page, the current Roosevelt Branch is compared with photos from various libraries around Utah to show what could be achieved with a new branch.

Thanks to Ryan Lundstrum from the Crossroads Senior Center for the help with the drone photos of the construction site.

Monetary donations to assist in the purchase of furniture, furnishings, and equipment for the new library is also open. Please see the flier below about this opportunity. No monetary donation is too small!

Construction Progress Photos

June 23, 2022

Apr. 25, 2022

Mar. 18, 2022

Jan. 6, 2022

Nov. 12, 2021

Nov. 4, 2021

Oct. 22, 2021

Sep. 24, 2021

Schematic Floor Plan & Exterior Renderings

Site Plan

Feasibility Study

Community Event Space

The Roosevelt Branch is known for their large family events, which in 2017 had an average of 150 patrons attending each one. The summer reading events had to be held at large venues away from the library to accommodate the 255 patrons at the opener and the 290 patrons at the closer. On a weekly basis, both morning and afternoon story times have been averaging an attendance of 35 in the children’s area. By necessity, the monthly events and crafts for weekly story times are held in the middle of the library where tables can be set up. These events take over the library space interrupting patrons’ work and privacy. Often during large events, there is little room for the amount of patrons that attend. A community room at Roosevelt Branch would provide an important gathering space not just for the library events, but also for educational and recreational classes by community groups and experts, and local groups needing space to meet. By comparison, in 2016 and 2017, Duchesne Branch’s community room was scheduled for over 200 events each year by patrons for non-library sponsored events. The Duchesne Branch community room provides a projector, projector screen, kitchenette and range, and a piano; none of which Roosevelt has.

Roy's community room with dividers to separate the large room into smaller rooms as needed for multiple events.

Story Time at Roosevelt.

Dr. Seuss event at Roosevelt.

Small Group / Study Rooms & Reading Areas

Many libraries offer small glassed rooms to allow patrons privacy for interviews, small group study, or individual work. Both Duchesne County branches currently only offer a few tables in the middle of the library or in the midst of nearby shelving where other patrons are often passing by. Reading chairs are also sparse. More accommodating and comfortable individual reading/study space would greatly enhance patrons’ privacy, experience, and comfort.

A Herriman study room.

Study tables and chairs at Herriman.

Herriman's reading area.

Roosevelt Branch's main patron table.

Reading table at Roosevelt.

Facility Accessibility

Due to the age of the building and limited space for the collection, computers, and tables, the current branch only generally meets minimum standards for patrons with disabilities. New construction would alleviate many of these problems and make the public place more welcoming for all. Entrances could be greatly improved with doors providing opening assistance and more adequate space around them. The current circulation desk is located immediately at the entrance. When even a few patrons are waiting for assistance, the entrance becomes very congested. A better floor plan can remedy this. Age has also contributed to roof leaks, damaged siding, energy inefficiencies, and some pest control issues. There is no fire sprinkler system. Lastly, bathrooms also only currently accommodate one user in both genders’ rooms.

Kamas Valley entrance.

Roosevelt Branch entrance.

Roosevelt Branch circulation desk & entrance.

Roosevelt men's bathroom.

Technology Expansion

Beyond being a community hub of information and media, the library should also serve as a community technology on-ramp beyond basic Internet access. For example, Duchesne Branch introduced a 3D printer in 2016, allowing patrons access to technology many cannot afford yet in their own homes or are not even aware of. Various libraries nationwide and around the state are offering labs where patrons can learn about and try out a variety of technology. Audio and video recording/mixing equipment and software, electronics and coding kits, and more are becoming available for patron use in these library spaces. This equipment again requires space which neither Duchesne County branch has much of for technology expansion.

Millcreek's 3D printers.

Salt Lake City's Cricut cutting station.

Roosevelt Branch's Computer/Patron Office Area.

Other Value-Adding Space

Various libraries offer unique spaces depending on their community's needs. Here are some snapshots of what others offered. They included self-checkout, patron office work areas (where patrons can access copiers, scanners, lamination machines, cutting equipment, etc.), and more.

Kamas Valley's self-checkout.

Grand County's patron office area.

Staff Work Room

Behind the scenes, the Roosevelt Branch library staff currently only has one room to operate in. It functions as a processing and repair room, the branch manager’s office, the cataloger’s work area, storage, the Internet server room, custodial closet, and staff break room. One work project often interrupts another and staff members often eat lunch outside of the library due to the room’s limited space. Efficiency in library material processing, library event/programming, and administration would be much improved with a separate manager office space, a larger work room, and a small break room for the staff.

Grand County staff work room.

Herriman break room.

Grand County manager office.

Roosevelt Branch work room & office.

Roosevelt Branch work room & office (opposite view).

Updated 06/24/2022.

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