Library Looks for Short-Term Solution for Alta Library

Jackson, WY- Teton County Library officials are working to find a temporary solution to housing the Alta Branch Library, while a new facility is built, after learning this week that the library must move from its current location in August 2008.

Library officials are organizing a public meeting in Alta to share information about possible interim solutions for the Alta Branch Library. Library officials will announce a time, location and place as soon as details become available.

"I think it's important for us to focus on the fact that whatever interim solution is put into place for the Alta Library, it will only be for a short time," Library Director Deb Adams said. "The Teton County Commissioners and Library Board have already committed to building a new library facility in Alta. We are really close to seeing that dream come true, especially with the land purchase set to be completed next month."

The County Commissioners voted Tuesday, January 22, 2008 to purchase a 1.5 acre parcel from St. Francis of the Tetons Episcopal Church, at the northern boundary of the church's land, to relocate the Alta Branch Library.

The Teton County School District has allowed the library to share space in the Alta Elementary School for more than 40 years. Now, however, the Alta School has reached a critical point in which the school needs all available space to successfully serve its students.

"School Superintendent Pam Shea has graciously offered the library the use of the classroom through July 2008 so that the library's Summer Reading Program for children may run its full course," Adams said. "We appreciate the School District for its commitment to making public library service a reality for the Alta community by sharing its space for so many years."

Library leaders, meanwhile, are ramping up efforts to find an interim solution for continuing library service in Alta during the period between moving out of the school and into a new facility. Short-term options identified by library staff and the Library Board include a bookmobile and leasing space at another site.

"I've heard from library supporters who have offered up a variety of spaces in Alta for the library, and I encourage people to keep sharing ideas," said Library Facilities Manager Dail Barbour. "Even a temporary home for the library, however, would need to meet public building code requirements."

Barbour also is working on planning the construction of the new Alta Branch Library. She will meet this month with the Teton County Planning Department to discuss site requirements for building on the land that is being purchased. She will then generate cost estimates for the building based on those requirements. Once that information is ready, library leaders will request a workshop with County Commissioners to discuss plans for a new building.

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