Our Need

A Needs Assessment Study conducted in 2007 indicated that the Library requires a facility of at least 25,000 square feet just to house the current collection. This does not include additional space for new programming, new technologies, staffing, and other support areas. Even using almost every possible area for shelving and public services, the Library still remains compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).

Additional reasons the Library needs more space:

• Circulation of 170,724 in 2008, twice what it was in 1985

• Program space - 59 sessions offered this year, many in partnership with the Friends of Hartford Library

Programs currently offered by the Library and/or the Friends of the Library:

• Educational programs for children

• Entertaining programs for children

• Series of preschool programs

• Annual summer reading programs for children

• Special programs for older children on Saturdays and during the summer

• Author "talks"

• Literacy training

• Consumer information sessions

• Interlibrary Loan requests -- 23,000 out-going items and 20,500 in-coming items

• Books and other material shipments -- Processed over 90,000 item

• Computer use - Projections indicate a doubling of computer usage from 6,482 in 2000 to 13,000 by 2010

Accessibility is also a challenge where parking is insufficient, especially when meetings occur in City Hall, and the current entrance is shared with the Police Department. An elevator or stairs make a second floor facility less accommodating than a first floor entrance. The Library shares about thirty parking spaces directly behind City Hall with all municipal services. There is only one handicap parking space within close proximity to the door.

The Library finds it difficult to update its capabilities, market itself, or even expand programming and collections within its limited space. This has frustrated the Library Board and Staff for years, and may have led some to mistakenly judge its overall performance as less than favorable.

The Library has revised its purpose, mission, and vision statements to provide guidelines for the design, programming, and other activities that can take place in the new facility.

The purpose of the Jack Russell Memorial Library is to provide and promote the ongoing quest for knowledge by creating a doorway to discovery.

The mission of the Jack Russell Memorial Library is to create a welcoming environment which provides opportunities for all to:

• Obtain information and materials in various media forms.

• Access resources with professional assistance.

• Engage in programs and activities.

• Discover local history and heritage.

• Gather, socialize, and read.

The vision for the Jack Russell Memorial Library is to become a destination where people will find the resources to assist them in enlightening their lives, and creating a more vibrant community.

It is obvious that these ideals can not be accommodated within the current space.

Even though circulation at all the public libraries in Washington County has seen a five year total increase of 11.7%, ranging from 8.8% in West Bend to 48.1% in Slinger, total circulation in Hartford has declined from a high of 196,103 in 2001 to a total of 170,724 in 2008. The study and community survey found that many local residents now choose to use the newer, more accessible neighboring libraries, with over 17,000 items borrowed by City of Hartford residents at other Washington County libraries in 2008.