In May 1985, G. Gordon Lewis resigned his position as
Library Director. The City Councils chose to exercise their prerogative to
increase the total number of Library Board members to eight, with four
trustees chosen by each community for four-year terms. Assistant Director
Beverly Daffern Papai was promoted by this expanded Board to Library Director
in July, 1985, and shortly thereafter she selected Gerald Furi to be the new Assistant Director.
In early fall, 1985, the new Director and Staff embarked on the creation of
the Library's first Five Year Plan, as requested in a joint meeting of the
City Councils. Planning included an assessment of staffing needs, facilities,
work flow and demographic projections. Both internal staff and patron surveys
were taken. An independent consultant conducted a telephone survey to reach
non-users. Public support of the Library ranked "important" even by
non-users. Efforts were made in the next few budget cycles to increase the
level of the staff and to improve their compensation to a level competitive
with other similar libraries.
The need for increased space in a "main" library building was one of the
most critical findings in this planning process. TMP Associates, the original
architects of the Hills Branch, conducted a feasibility study for the
expansion of the Hills Branch. TMP concluded that a well-planned expansion
program was necessary to maintain the level and quality of services that the
community requires.
Thus, began a multi-year cycle of study sessions with City Council members
and the Library Board to review: the need for a larger library; the type of
building required; addition versus a totally new building; selection of an
architectural firm; site; cost; operating millage; election date; and
campaign activities.
The discussion of placing library expansion referenda on the ballot was
somewhat expedited in May, 1989, when the Governor signed a new District
Library Law, Public Act 24, which replaced Public Act 164 of 1955. The
Farmington Community Library was given retroactive taxing authority status,
which allowed the Library Board to place ballot issues for bonding or millage
before the electors of the entire library district. In November 1989, two
ballot issues were defeated by the voters: $14.5 million bonding for a new
main Library [located on West Twelve Mile, east of the Halsted Road] and 1.5
mills for operating purposes. An analysis of the election results showed
voter concern regarding the site. While this election lost by a narrow
margin, the Library Journal included the Farmington's campaign plans as a
model in their 1990 election issue.
In 1991, the Orchard Lake Campus of Oakland Community College hired a
consultant to renew the college's master plan. The consultant and Campus
President approached the library with a study proposal for a merged public
and college library, which could be built on the campus. The next year was
spent in analysis and discussion regarding the myriad of arrangements that
would lead to a successful joint enterprise. A model joint library had
operated successfully for a number of years in Broward County, Florida.
Discussions faltered in late 1992 when it became apparent that the college
was unable to dedicate funding to the building of the joint library and that
labor-related issues could not be resolved.
Continuing frustration with inadequate public seating, insufficient parking,
and a lack of shelving space to house the collection led to a second ballot
proposal in August, 1993. Again, the proposal requested approval of a new
main library at a new location, as well as operating millage. The site this
time was central to the community–on property owned by the City of
Farmington Hills on Orchard Lake Road, south of the 1-696 expressway and
directly across from the entrance to Oakland Community College. Again, these
proposals were defeated. Again, the public commented on dissatisfaction with
the proposed site.
In 1994, the Hills Branch received a face-lift with replacement of 1980
carpeting and relocation of library shelving to make better use of the space
available. The catalyst for this renovation was the relocation of the Library
for the Blind and Handicapped to a new county library in Pontiac, MI. The
Library Board approved a plan to use the 2,000 square feet then vacated by
the Library for the Blind.
Cost of the renovation was $271,000, with the majority of those monies
expended on new carpeting. Library Design Associates assisted with the space
planning for relocation of library areas. Fiction and audio-visual materials
were moved to separate rooms. For the first time in years, staff members had
individual workstations for their responsibilities when not working at a
public desk. Consideration was given to the usability of the various changes
for any future expansion effort.
At the request of the two City Managers, the Library Board reactivated its
Building Committee in the spring of 1995 to consider a proposal whereby the
City of Farmington Hills would purchase 2 + acres adjacent to and west of the
existing Hills Branch. Such space would be required if the Library Board
chose to expand its current building. The Building Committee, with the City
Managers participation, selected the firm of Luckenbach/Ziegelman and
Partners to prepare a feasibility study of an addition to the building. The
Board also hired Library Design Associates to recommend space requirements
for an enlarged library operation. By the end of the summer, the City
purchased the property, to be reserved for future library needs. Yet another
election for library expansion would be held before the end of the
century.
