Too little space

By Allison Brophy Champion

Published: September 15, 2008

Like the town of Culpeper’s population, the library’s loaning of books has exploded in the past 10 years – more than tripling from 129,000 in 1998 to 463,000 in 2008, according to Culpeper County Library Director Susan Keller. Like other public institutions, the library is responding to that increased demand by expanding.

As the population increases so does demand for additional books, Keller said, but the library is running out of space for new titles.

“We also need more room for the Children’s staff,” she said, as well as new circulation staff members. “When we opened we had one part time children’s person, however, as we have added new programs: Itsy Bitsy, preschool, toddler and walk-in story times, we need more room to prepare for crafts and other activities.”

It’s been 10 years since the Culpeper Library Foundation led efforts and funds to open the Culpeper Library in Southgate Shopping Center. Now, the foundation is reforming to add another 4,400-square-foot to the original brick building.

A site plan review and request from the Culpeper County Board of Supervisors, on behalf of the library, for the estimated $1.5 million project comes before the Culpeper Town Planning Commission at its meeting Tuesday night at 7 in the county boardroom.

The Library Foundation already has about $1 million in its account for the project, Keller said, in money left mostly as bequests to the library.

Design of the expansion at the back of the building through a county contract engineer is not yet completed, she said, but Keller hopes to start outdoor site work on the project as soon as possible while building costs are lower.

The Foundation also needs to raise the other half-million dollars for the construction project, she said, because last time she looked the county didn’t have any extra money.

As part of the coming expansion, special attention will be given to the collection and preservation of the library’s local history materials, Keller said, as well as making such materials, copyright permitting, available online.

Culpeper Town staff recommended that the planning commission approve the library expansion site plan.

Allison Brophy Champion can be reached at 825-0771 ext. 101 or

What’s going on?
What: The Culpeper Town Planning Commission considers a site plan review and request from the Culpeper County Board of Supervisors to construct a 4,400-square-feet addition on the back of the Culpeper County Library in Southgate Shopping Center
When: Tuesday, 7 p.m.
Where: County boardroom, 302 N. Main St.