When Diane Blasco visits the New Canaan Library, she sees a place that is welcoming and meets her needs.
"A lot of people come here because it works for them," she said. "They think it's comfortable here."
So Blasco hopes the library's board of directors don't make too many changes as it plans for the future. She was one of nearly 60 people who spoke Sunday during a community forum hosted by library officials. Library users offered comments and ideas as the library prepares to make upgrades. Library officials are planning to build a new facility as part of the 21st Century Library strategic plan.
Many were worried about building a new space, citing concerns on the changing look of downtown, the costs of a new library and the resemblance to larger libraries in neighboring towns.
Blasco, of Sunset Hill Road, suggested keeping the current building at Main Street and building an annex. "Why does it have to be in one location?" she said.
Library Director Alice Knapp said that adding an annex would mean hiring more staff to oversee a second building. "Whatever we do, we need to be able to afford to run it," she said of the difficulties of that plan.
Nancy Harper said she was shocked to hear so many people opposed to investigating a new space. "What is all this fuss? We need a new library," Harper said. "Right now, it's not meeting our needs."
Knapp said that any funding for a new library facility would come from community donations, but other avenues might be considered.
Whatever is done, Valerie Saiz of Marshall Ridge Road hopes any new space doesn't stray too far from a traditional library, focused on books and studying, and not on other community amenities.
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