Plans for the construction of a new building on Twelve
Mile began immediately. Contracts were awarded to Tarapata —MacMahon
Associates, architects (later Tarapata —MacMahon—Paulsen or TMP).
An application was filed with the Michigan State Library for federal funds,
available through the Library Services and Construction Act (LSCA), for an
amount of 40% of the construction cost. The site had been surveyed when a
major setback appeared; the Library Services and Construction Act funds to
Michigan were cut drastically. In October, 1968 the architects were notified
to suspend activity until further notice. To complicate the problem, the LSCA
was to expire in 1968 and would have to be renewed by a new Congress that was
already committed to budget cuts.
As expected, the library's application for federal funds was rejected, due
to limited amount of funds received by the Michigan State Library for state
distribution. In vain, the request was resubmitted.
Work on the plans was resumed; it was still felt that the money would come
from somewhere. By January, 1970, the decision was made to go ahead with the
building, even if there would be no money for books to fill it.
An open meeting was planned for April 29, 1970 to discuss the library model
and drawings, and for the distribution of a "financial fact sheet", detailing
proposed income and expenditures, designed to answer the questions of
interested community residents.
At the meeting a timetable for construction was outlined, beginning with the
awarding of a general contract in June, 1970 and ending with completion by
December, 1971. The cost of the building was estimated at $1.5 million. It
was projected that by the end of the 1971—72 fiscal year, there would
be enough money on hand to pay for the building. It was also revealed that
another request for federal funds had been made, but by June 24, 1970, that
application also had been rejected. To bring the building cost within the
confines of the budget, it was decided that some areas of the basement would
have to be left unfinished.
On July 8, the Library Board advertised for bids on the Library contract;
the contract was awarded on July 23 to Freeman—Darling of Livonia for
$1,383,556. Ground breaking ceremonies were held August 30, 1970.
In November, Mildred Droege announced her retirement. Mary Mitchell, a
well-known Librarian, who had worked for many years as Head of Personnel at
the Detroit Public Library, was hired by the Board. Mrs. Mitchell's new title
was Director of Libraries.
As with the first building, a gift drive was established, to raise funds to
supply furnishings and books. Major contributors were the Farmington Jaycees,
who agreed to furnish the children's room, and the Farmington Rotary Club,
which donated $3,000 to furnish the Quiet Room. Other major donations were
made by the Friends of the Library and the AAUW.
In June, 1972, the Farmington Public Library was dedicated. The 38,000
square foot structure had a capacity for 150,000 volumes. The upper of the
two levels included a reference area, fiction and non-fiction areas, lounge,
Quiet Room and Children's room with a total seating capacity of 170. The
lower level housed a meeting room, which could seat 200 persons, kitchen
facilities, the Oakland County Subregional Library for the Blind and
Physically Handicapped in an undeveloped space, and storage areas.
The new building flourished, becoming the center of library activity in
Farmington and some adjoining areas. In September, 1974, Mary Mitchell
retired; G. Gordon Lewis replaced her. Mr. Lewis had previously worked at the
Youngstown, Ohio Public Library and the Free Library of Philadelphia.
