Renovations to the Dowagiac District Library could help start a new chapter for the library in the years to come, but before developing a plan, library leaders are encouraging patrons to be part of the process and contribute their ideas for improving the space at 211 Commercial St.

This Wednesday, the public is invited to two brainstorming sessions on the topic. The sessions will take place at 3 p.m. and 6 p.m. and are expected to last about an hour and a half. The public is invited to attend and share their renovation ideas.

Library director Matt Weston said getting public feedback will be an important step toward creating a solid project plan.

“We are trying to get the word out about community engagement meetings,” Weston said. “Before we try to go for any capital millage, we want to get community input.”

To help spur some ideas, Cleveland-based HBM architects will give a presentation during the sessions that will feature some modern library designs. Additionally, those who participate will have the chance to engage in brain storming games.

All ideas will be shared in a publically accessible binder that will be kept at the library’s front desk. Those who cannot attend the meetings are invited to drop by when they can and add their own ideas to the binder.

“We want the physical space to reflect the library’s services,” Weston said. “[The ideas] could very well be things we have not thought of as library staff or things we have not heard from regular patrons.”

Last year, Weston said the Library Board of Trustees formed a Renovation and Addition group to evaluate current needs and submit a request for proposal to architects with library design experience.

The Dowagiac District Library began serving the community in 1904 and is one of the rare Carnegie style buildings. Weston said HBM has knowledge and prior work in renovating Carnegie buildings.

The Dowagiac Library was last renovated in 1973, Weston said. Once a plan for changes are developed, he said the library hopes to potentially put a millage on the 2018 ballot that would help to fund the renovations.

Those who frequent the Dowagiac District Library know that a number of programs and activities are offered from family story time to arts, crafts and classes. But a separate space to do many of these activities does not exist, Weston said.

“Patron visits at the Library have gone up significantly in recent years,” Weston said. “ We don’t have the space to meet the demand. We are often shifting things, and people, around to make room for library programs and different groups that visit here.”

Weston said among the changes he would like to see are the addition of a meeting or community rooms, where people participating in activities could have their own space. He also hopes that by potentially adding more room, there could be the chance to feature more book shelves, offering residents more books and therefore even more resources and reading material. Furthermore, Weston said he can picture the Dowagiac Library being a place where people feel welcome to study, get their work done, or host a meeting.

Those interested in attending are advised to call the Dowagiac Library to let them know. The library can be reached at (269) 782-3826.