A social living room, dedicated children’s space, small group study rooms and ample parking were among the top vote-getters when about 60 people met last week to tell architects what they want to see in their new Silverdale Library.

Armed with green dot stickers, those attending stood in line for their time at three giant boards where they could “vote” by placing their dots next to the items that each felt was important to have in the new library.

“It’s got to have plenty of room to move around in,” said Lucy Johnson as she cast her votes. “And we need a coffee shop or somewhere to get a sandwich nearby.”

Kitsap Regional Library is in the planning stages for a new library to serve the Silverdale area. In August, the KRL board voted to build the new 10,000-square-foot library on 1.14 acres of property it plans to purchase at the northeast corner of Bucklin Hill Road and Blaine Avenue. The board is expected to reach agreement with the property owner later the month at a price of $900,000.

In anticipation of that, Rice Fergus Miller Architects of Bremerton has been selected to do some preliminary concept schemes for the building. Steve Rice, of that firm, told those who gathered in Silverdale on Nov. 12 that he wanted to find out what the community wants in its library.

“The professionals (library staff) have told us what they know makes a good library,” said Rice. “Now we’re asking you. We hope blend the ideas and find that sweet spot where the come together just right.”

What’s already know is that the proposed 10,000-square-foot library will sit alongside Clear Creek and is estimated to cost more than $6 million . It will double the size of the existing Silverdale Library located in Old Town Silverdale.

It’s planned to be a one-story building and will have at least 35 to 40 parking spaces. Fundraising is getting underway by the library’s foundation staff.

Rice said the library, which has needed to be expanded for some time, also is imagined to be a place with great indoor space for library functions and meeting rooms. It will be built with “green” methods and be sensitive to the environment. He also said it’s imagined to have outdoor program areas and connect to the nearby Clear Creek Trail and Old Mill Park.

Future plans may include a pedestrian-friendly corridor that would connect the library to the Central Kitsap Community Campus and to area schools, including Central Kitsap High School.

For the purposes of gathering ideas, each person at the meeting was given 10 green dots. Rice listed 14 “opportunities” that those attending could choose from, and using their dots as votes, people wandered throughout the room placing their dots on large boards that listed the opportunities.

There was also places to add other ideas or opportunities.

Jeff Brody, director of community relations for KRL, said there wouldn’t be any formal tally of the votes cast that night, but rather similar voting would take place during November at the Silverdale Library and at other places where library staff will speak.

“We want to gather all the ideas first,” he said. “Down the road, we will tally the votes and release that information.”

But, following the meeting, he offered a list of some of the more popular items people voted for.

It was clear from the dot-voting that library patrons want an inspiring building and interior. They want a children’s area that is set aside just for kids. They want technology and they also want a social area where they can visit with other patrons.

And there’s a need for community meeting rooms and small group meeting rooms for book clubs etc.

During the comment time prior to voting, several people mentioned that they’d like to see a Starbuck’s and/or a place to get a sandwich built next-door to the library where there is another lot for sale.

Rice answered by saying, “that happens all the time,” he said. “Part of looking at this is what kind of other activities could the library bring in just by being there.”

There was mention of a senior center going in nearby, and others said that they wanted plenty of bicycle access to the library and bike parking.

“That’s absolutely going to happen,” Rice said.

Some also offered up the idea of a second-story on the library that could be leased to other community organizations, or even complimentary businesses.

Rice said county regulation would allow for a second story on the building.

“Of course, it will depend on how successful fundraising is,” he said.

But Rice said that the library staff has already said that the library should be on one floor, to reduce the staffing needs.

Rice reminded patrons that libraries that are built today look different that “those Carnegie buildings built years ago.”

“Uses have changed,” she said. “Technology has changed. But there will always be stacks of books.”

To weigh in, stop by the Silverdale Library at 3450 N.W. Carlton St.