1. Project Overview The Kings County Library (KCL) is a rural library system encompassing seven branches serving the cities of Hanford, Lemoore, Corcoran, Armona, and Avenal, plus the unincorporated areas of Kettleman City and Stratford. Both the Hanford and Lemoore Branches are important assets. The KCL identifies its organizational aspirations as follows: Vision Statement: To touch the lives of County residents through free access to information, programs, and services. Mission Statement: To support Lifelong learning by providing books, information, and other resources to meet the educational, cultural, and recreational needs of the public we serve. Strategic Initiatives: Creating and Empowering Readers; Providing a Welcoming Environment; and Connecting to the Virtual World. Service Priorities are Youth Succeeding in School; Embracing Technology; Library Collections; Staff Training; Community Engagement; and Facility Planning. The physical characteristics of both libraries have remained relatively unchanged over the last 60 years, and require structural, mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems, and accessibility upgrades to bring it up to current fire, life safety, code, and operational standards. KCL's primary goals to address the project upgrades are: Provide a conceptual plan with potential to be implemented as budget resources allow. Provide space planning to maximize use, improve patron experience, and support literacy. To address the critical maintenance needs, improve energy efficiency and sustainability, and expand access digitally and physically.
