Part I: Ann Arbor District Library - Downtown Library Branch Renovation/Redesign
In 2007, AADL conducted focus groups with 100 citizens to gather feedback on the redesign of the Downtown Library (their ideas follow). Please help us prioritize these ideas, and add your input by completing this section of the survey.
1. Regarding accessibility and safety, how important are the following features and enhancements for the Downtown Library and our community?
| Not Important |
Somewhat Important |
Important | Very Important |
|
| Adequate public parking | 285 5% |
712 12% |
1659 27% |
3381 56% |
| Easy and safe drop off location for passengers | 450 7% |
1151 19% |
1944 32% |
2486 41% |
| Safe, welcoming pedestrian access to entrances | 78 1% |
576 10% |
2031 34% |
3339 55% |
| Convenient drive-up book return | 609 10% |
1308 22% |
1784 30% |
2317 39% |
| Well-lit and secured aisles and spaces in the library | 140 2% |
1014 17% |
2431 41% |
2415 40% |
| Concierge or greeter stations for customer service | 1711 29% |
2320 39% |
1423 24% |
541 9% |
2. Regarding collection format and display, how important are the following features and enhancements for the Downtown Library and our community?
| Not Important |
Somewhat Important |
Important | Very Important |
|
| Clear signage explaining what is offered and where it is located | 73 1% |
585 10% |
2366 39% |
2973 50% |
| “Face out” and featured displays of collections (i.e., Border’s) | 1941 33% |
2401 40% |
1192 20% |
423 7% |
| Larger dedicated space for local history and special collections | 1463 24% |
2859 48% |
1286 21% |
376 6% |
3. Regarding children and teen areas, how important are the following features and enhancements for the Downtown Library and our community?
| Not Important |
Somewhat Important |
Important | Very Important |
|
| A larger teen space | 850 15% |
2063 36% |
2142 37% |
733 13% |
| A more spacious, interactive and vibrant children’s room | 685 12% |
1577 27% |
2145 37% |
1409 24% |
| Adequately sized and dedicated youth program room immediately adjacent to the Children’s Department | 734 13% |
1881 32% |
2173 37% |
1008 17% |
4. Regarding meeting and program spaces, how important are the following features and enhancements for the Downtown Library and our community?
| Not Important |
Somewhat Important |
Important | Very Important |
|
| State-of-the-art public performance auditorium that will accommodate up to 400 people | 2016 34% |
1998 34% |
1301 22% |
642 11% |
| Meeting rooms for small group functions (tutoring and group study) | 425 7% |
1877 31% |
2532 42% |
1126 19% |
| Meeting rooms for larger group functions (community meetings, small performances and programs) | 744 12% |
1990 33% |
2297 39% |
930 16% |
| After-hours access to meeting and program spaces | 1562 26% |
2082 35% |
1714 29% |
583 10% |
| Gallery for display of art and exhibits | 1045 18% |
2412 41% |
1802 30% |
693 12% |
5. Regarding technology access and needs, how important are the following features and enhancements for the Downtown Library and our community?
| Not Important |
Somewhat Important |
Important | Very Important |
|
| Classrooms equipped with computers and electronic resources for people of all ages | 584 10% |
1395 23% |
2096 35% |
1883 32% |
| Express stations for short-term computer use | 322 5% |
1199 20% |
2446 41% |
1996 33% |
| More public-use computers | 559 9% |
1572 26% |
2157 36% |
1653 28% |
| More computer classes | 1181 20% |
2370 40% |
1609 27% |
760 13% |
| Download stations for music, video, multimedia | 1808 31% |
2171 37% |
1333 23% |
603 10% |
6. Regarding community 'hub' and ambience, how important are the following features and enhancements for the Downtown Library and our community?
| Not Important |
Somewhat Important |
Important | Very Important |
|
| Better natural and artificial lighting throughout the library | 285 5% |
1205 20% |
2413 40% |
2082 35% |
| Comfortable living-room style seating options throughout the building | 556 9% |
1554 26% |
2337 39% |
1549 26% |
| A full-service café | 2947 49% |
1606 27% |
871 15% |
559 9% |
| Library gift shop/retail store with library-related gifts (flowers, newspapers) | 3981 66% |
1404 23% |
453 8% |
156 3% |
| Public green space that creates an engaging indoor and outdoor presence | 1049 18% |
1927 32% |
1758 29% |
1256 21% |
| Dedicated ‘quiet’ areas | 186 3% |
737 12% |
2016 34% |
3045 51% |
| Color and varied textures throughout the building | 1167 20% |
2261 38% |
1736 29% |
802 13% |
| Public art integrated into the building design | 938 16% |
1988 33% |
1877 32% |
1143 19% |
7. Is there anything else you think is important to consider in planning the Downtown Library renovation/redesign?
View all 2238 responses.
8. Please identify your level of agreement with the following statement: A renovated or new Downtown Library is needed.
| Strongly Disagree |    |
246 | 4% |
| Disagree | |
611 | 10% |
| Mixed | |
2226 | 37% |
| Agree | |
1784 | 30% |
| Strongly Agree | |
1079 | 18% |
| Total | 5946 | 100% | |
Part II: South Fifth Avenue Underground Parking Structure
There is a commitment to constructing new public parking in the downtown core area to support the activities at the Library, nearby government offices, and commercial areas. Building an underground parking structure (rather than an above ground structure) on the S. Fifth Avenue (Library) lot provides an opportunity for the land above to be set aside for future uses.Underground parking structures historically have been less than welcoming environments. Recent structures have been designed with features that are much more accomodating to both drivers and pedestrians. Please review the pictures on this linked webpage and then answer the following questions to help us in our planning of this structure.
9. Please identify how much value you see in the following possible parking structure features:
| No Value |
Low Value |
Some Value |
High Value |
Very High Value |
|
| A welcoming environment (e.g.natural light, public art, 'warm' surfaces) | 293 5% |
546 9% |
1673 28% |
1924 32% |
1510 25% |
| Below grade direct pedestrian access to the Library | 249 4% |
408 7% |
1423 24% |
2109 36% |
1726 29% |
| Fast in and out | 126 2% |
225 4% |
1086 18% |
2422 41% |
2082 35% |
| Sense of safety and security as driver and as a pedestrian | 65 1% |
58 1% |
300 5% |
1348 23% |
4178 70% |
| Easily acccessed pedestrian links toward the Main Street, State Street and Liberty Street areas | 136 2% |
206 3% |
1037 17% |
2321 39% |
2227 38% |
| Bicycle accommodations (i.e. secure lockers, hoops, changing rooms) | 317 5% |
647 11% |
1687 28% |
1884 32% |
1396 24% |
| One stop convenience services (i.e. mailing services, dry cleaning drop off/pick up, coffee stand) | 2275 39% |
1641 28% |
1207 20% |
537 9% |
243 4% |
| Environmentally friendly design (i.e. porous pavers at the surface, storm water management, LED lighting, landscaping) | 180 3% |
305 5% |
921 16% |
1719 29% |
2800 47% |
| Pedestrian amenities (benches, creatively design walkways and walls, protection from vehicle traffic) | 268 5% |
433 7% |
1385 23% |
2049 35% |
1783 30% |
10. I am likely to use the proposed structure:
| Never |    |
371 | 6% |
| Less than once a month | |
1420 | 24% |
| 1-3 times a month | |
2956 | 49% |
| 1-3 times a week | |
1080 | 18% |
| 4-7 days a week | |
164 | 3% |
| Total | 5991 | 100% | |
11. I am a resident of the city of Ann Arbor
| Yes |    |
4917 | 82% |
| No | |
1099 | 18% |
| Total | 6016 | 100% | |
12. I am a resident of the Ann Arbor District Library district
| Yes |    |
5635 | 94% |
| No | |
355 | 6% |
| Total | 5990 | 100% | |
13. How often do you use the Downtown Library?
| Never | |
174 | 3% |
| Yearly | |
1228 | 20% |
| Monthly | |
2881 | 48% |
| Weekly | |
1604 | 27% |
| Daily | |
142 | 2% |
| Total | 6029 | 100% | |
14. Which of the descriptions in the drop down menu match your most common downtown parking pattern ? (motor vehice parking only)
| I park using a permit,3 days a week or more. | |
314 | 5% |
| I park using a permit, less than 3 days a week. | |
70 | 1% |
| MI park NOT using a permit, 4-7 days a week. | |
289 | 5% |
| I park NOT using a permit, 1-3 days a week. | |
1788 | 30% |
| I park downtown less than once per week. | |
3008 | 51% |
| I never park downtown. | |
454 | 8% |
| Total | 5923 | 100% | |
15. In coming downtown, I most often park
| At meters | |
1239 | 22% |
| In surface lots | |
1185 | 21% |
| In a structure | |
1043 | 18% |
| Equally split between the three above | |
1825 | 32% |
| At bike lockers and hoops | |
346 | 6% |
| Total | 5638 | 100% | |
16. I use the South Fifth Avenue surface lot (next to the Library)
| Never | |
1174 | 20% |
| Less than 1 day a month | |
2370 | 40% |
| 1-3 days a month | |
1887 | 32% |
| 1-3 days a week | |
509 | 9% |
| At least 4 days a week | |
36 | 1% |
| Total | 5976 | 100% | |
17. I am a
| Male | |
1936 | 32% |
| Female | |
4066 | 68% |
| Total | 6002 | 100% | |
18. What is your age?
| Less than 18 | |
78 | 1% |
| 18-30 years | |
1145 | 19% |
| 31-40 years | |
1057 | 18% |
| 41-50 years | |
1259 | 21% |
| 51-60 years | |
1319 | 22% |
| 61-70 years | |
768 | 13% |
| Over 70 years | |
350 | 6% |
| Total | 5976 | 100% | |
19. Do you have any children/youth under 18 living in your home?
| Yes | |
2158 | 36% |
| No | |
3800 | 64% |
| Total | 5958 | 100% | |
20. What is your education?
| High School or less | |
133 | 2% |
| Some College | |
621 | 10% |
| Bachelor's Degree | |
1546 | 26% |
| Post-Grad Work |  |
3697 | 62% |
| Total | 5997 | 100% | |