Kingston Springs library director highlights need for larger space

Kingston Springs library director Jennifer Lovell Ensley told city commissioners March 19 that the community’s growing use of the library is outpacing the space currently available.

Ensley and Cheatham County Library Board of Trustees member Bob Perry provided an update on plans for a new Kingston Springs library during the Board of Commissioners’ monthly meeting.

Ensley said the current facility, located on Main Street, is heavily used despite its limited size.

“We have almost 4,000 library card holders,” Ensley said. “Just since this fiscal year started, we’ve had 7,100 people come through our doors.”

She said that averages about 882 visitors per month.

While the library continues to expand its programming, Ensley said space limitations make it difficult to host larger events.

“Space is a constraint,” she said. “It is hard to do programming on a large scale basis.”

To accommodate demand, the library has increasingly hosted events off-site and partnered with organizations such as Harpeth River State Park for programs including hikes and outdoor events.

Ensley said a larger library would allow the system to expand programming and better serve residents in the Kingston Springs community.

Perry also noted that the current library building is about 2,500 square feet and is not fully compliant with Americans with Disabilities Act standards.

Plans for the new library call for a larger facility near Harpeth Middle School that would provide more room for programming and community events. Project costs and a construction timeline have not yet been finalized.