Discussions for expanding the Sequim Library, 630 N. Sequim Ave., are going back out to the public.

Leaders with the North Olympic Library System seek to form a community task force of five-seven people to test the waters again on the community’s interest in the project.

Library Director Margaret Jakubcin and other library leaders say conditions in the Sequim branch remain too small for its current operations.

“There are a dozen operational needs for every square inch, and for library customers frustrated with tight quarters, packed shelves, lack of quiet spaces, crowded parking lots and narrow restrooms, the need for a larger Sequim library is apparent,” she said.

The committee’s role, Jakubcin said, is to raise public awareness on the issue and facilitate community input into a schematic design process, project budget, funding options and timelines if necessary.

Applications are accepted through Aug. 15 by visiting www.nols.org or calling 683-1161.

Elaine Fredrickson, NOLS board trustee, echoed Jakubcin saying the conditions in the library are a daily frustration for users.

“It is not a problem NOLS can solve alone, which is why the NOLS board has initiated a process that provides the most opportunity possible for community understanding, input and engagement around a possible expansion project,” she said.

A study by NOLS’ consulting firm SHKS Architects last year said libraries customarily have 0.5 square feet per person whereas Sequim has 0.2 square feet in its 6,000-square-foot building for about 29,700 people.

SHKS also revealed a pre-design plan for a new Sequim branch that would include demolition of the existing 6,000-square-foot building and building a new library of about 17,150 square feet.

However, Jakubcin said NOLS isn’t proposing anything to voters but exploring.

The pre-design plan for a new branch revealed in February 2014 was necessary, she said, because it revealed demographic trends, what size the library needed to be and if it could fit on the existing property.

“This (task force) is a necessary thing and part of the responsible process because we wanted as much community input as possible to facilitate that conversation,” Jakubcin said.

“If you skipped over this phase, you’d basically be making up a number to put in a bond. It wouldn’t fly very well with the public so we’re being responsible with the planning.”

As part of the next steps, the library trustees tentatively would hire an architect to create the schematic and project designs while library staff would investigate the next steps for forming a Library Capital Facilities Area, likely following the boundaries of the Sequim School District, and asking voters to support funding the building by passing a bond.

Jakubcin said task force members would be involved in community outreach, schematic design and the capital facilities area formation.

Other options such as partnering with the Sequim School District in some capacity with an expanded library are still part of the conversation, Jakubcin said.

Library leaders explored options with the schools and City of Sequim but plans were shelved as the Sequim Civic Center developed and the schools’ proposed bonds failed.

Jakubcin said the community had extreme views of a joint Sequim High School and Sequim Library with many for and against.

In 2010, voters approved a 50 cents per $1,000 assessed property valuation for NOLS and library leaders promised not to return to voters for at least 10 years for more funding.

Jakubcin said there is no elbow room with their budget but it is feasible to expand a library without considerable staffing changes.

For more on NOLS’ Sequim Library expansion discussion, visit www.nols.org or call 683-1161.