The Greendale Schools, the Village of Greendale and the have announced their partnership in a release to establish a new, mixed-use facility to be called Greendale Community Learning Center (CLC).
Under the plan, the Public Library, and the will be housed under one roof in the current public library building at 5647 Broad Street.
The Greendale Park and Recreation Department offices will relocate to the public library site on August 6 and renovations to the building will begin this fall. The Park and Recreation Department has temporarily moved to the Library at 5900 S. 51stStreet as construction begins on new classrooms at that building. The Greendale Schools district office has already moved to 6801 Southway.
The Greendale CLC renovation is estimated to cost $150,000 and will be shared equally between the Village, Public Library and Greendale Schools. The renovations will provide new access from a new Parking Street entrance, updated seating and service counter along with other improvements designed to enhance services to residents. Automated self-checkout stations for the Library will also be installed.
The regular hours of operation will expand under the plan and the Greendale CLC will be open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Thursday and until 5 p.m. on Friday. Saturday hours will be 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and on Sunday from 1 to 4 p.m. The Greendale CLC staff will continue to be a part of the Public Library, Greendale School District and Village of Greendale respectively. Further integration is possible in the future.
“The shift to the centralized Greendale CLC will enhance and expand the services available to the community by supporting student achievement, public health, recreation and lifelong learning,” said Village Manager Todd Michaels in the release. “By increasing traffic to Greendale’s historic business district, it adds vital economic and social value to enhance the downtown area.”
Community members will also have ready access to information and services from the Greendale Health Department aimed at preventing or reducing health problems and promoting optimum health. In addition, the Greendale CLC will welcome residents and partners to gather for meetings and activities in its conference rooms and gathering spaces.
“This is an excellent example of intergovernmental cooperation,” said Erin Green, Temporary Interim Superintendent of the Greendale Schools. “Housing the Public Library, the Health Department and the Park and Recreation Department under one roof will increase the level of services to residents of all ages at lower cost.”
Potential new and upgraded programming may include: summer and after-school tutoring; post-secondary preparation; summer and weekend reading and literacy programs; and classes on parenting, career planning, technology use, financial literacy, entrepreneurship, GED preparation; English as a second language and more. An estimated 500 participants will come through the doors of the Greendale CLC each day for regular programming.
“This is a great opportunity for the community,” said Stephanie Mares, Library Board President. “The Greendale CLC will also provide academic enrichment opportunities during non-school hours for children while expanding hours and the quality of service for all residents and library patrons while reducing costs over time.”
