Library-Addition Plans OKd

Preliminary plans ir additions to the Ann Arbor Public Library were approved last night by the Board of Education. The addition of 20,000 square feet to the east side of the present library will include two smaller rectangular shapes parallel to the east wall, according to Larry Graves, an associate w i t h Donald Van Curler, architect. Graves said materials i'or Khe exterior have not been selecred yet. Alternatives include pre-cast concrete and brick. The addition is to be carpeted and to have acoustical ceilings. The primary purposes of the new addition will include housing the consolidated library departments and library extensión service, as well as 100,000 books and an expanded children's library, Graves says. Robert Mattox, vice president of the Advanced ning Research Group, said the next step for the library addition will be the preparation of bids by construction managers. The construction managers will also be asked to estímate separately the cost on altérnate additions to the contract, including wider stairway to the second floor of the library and the excavation and enclosure of the basement of the new addition. Some doubt was expressed last night if there would be enough money to cover the addition and one or both of the alternates. Homer Chance, director of the library, told the board the wider stairway was needed to take care of traffic. He added he would be disappointed to see loss of the basement space because it hadn't been excavated before the addition was built. Graves says he hopes construction on the addition will begin this f all. He estimates the addition will be complete one year after construction begins. The electorate approved the $989,000 bond for the library addition as part of a $12,847, 000 bonding proposal in June, 1971.