Edwardsburg Branch Build

Cass District Library is thrilled to announce the acquisition of 5.48 acres on US 12, immediately east of Section Street, in the Village of Edwardsburg. This beautiful wooded setting will be the home of the new Edwardsburg Branch Library.

The dream for a new Edwardsburg Branch began after the completion of a Facilities Master Plan in 2021 and was brought to fruition through a successful Headlee Override millage vote in the August 2022 election.

The Facility

This new location will allow the Edwardsburg Branch to comfortably accommodate a growing patron base through expanded areas for interactive play, learning, studying, and creating. Print collections will be expanded, technology brought up to date, and a much desired meeting room will be constructed for community use. Another major improvement will be a dedicated space for young adults.

The new Edwardsburg Branch Library is nestled in a copse of pines on a shaded campus.

Wood grain features and sliding doors highlight the main entrance to the library.

The entrance to the library boasts bookshelves for monthly highlighted selections crafted by branch librarians.

The new branch will feature two meeting rooms: perfect for a private meeting or Zoom call.

Meeting rooms will be available for advance reservation.

A whimsical children’s area promotes interactive play and will be sure to continue to nurture a love for reading in Edwardsburg’s youngest residents.

Tucked in the back is a family bathroom which will easily accommodate strollers, walkers and wheelchairs.

Enjoy the quiet and comfort of the library while browsing the collection.

If you’re staying a while, utilize the study spaces located near the rear of the library.

Soak in the beauty of the new library that will boast exposed beams, LED lighting and energy- efficient coated windows.

Engage in new and exciting library programming in the state of the art makerspace.

The makerspace will be outfitted with numerous technology and art tools like 3D printers.

Enjoy library functions and presentations in this sleek community room.

The community room is a 1,143 square foot that will comfortably fit 60 people.

Patrons can ask for reading recommendations and ask reference questions at the circulation desk.

Friendly Edwardsburg Branch staff will be ready to help all library patrons.

A dedicated area for teens is housed near the circulation desk.

Complete with space for after-school study and gaming computers.

The best technology is ready for printing, scanning, sending a fax or simply checking your email.

construction timeline

Completed

site preparation

To read a detailed account of the current site preparation please click here
completed

site utilities
Completed

flatwork
Completed

Underground
completed

Going Vertical
in progress

Rough Ins

Commence: In Progress

Complete: End of Summer 2025
Not started

Interior Finishes

Commence: To Be Determined
Not started

Swinging Doors

Commence: To Be Determined
Not started

Furnishing

Commence: To Be Determined

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Abonmarche

Following a competitive bid process, the Library Board awarded the building project to Abonmarche, which will lead community engagement efforts and execute the programming and schematic design of a new 9,000 square foot facility. Abonmarche demonstrated a true passion for public libraries and deep understanding of the importance of a community informed project.

“We are thrilled to help bring a new chapter of the Edwardsburg Branch Library to life for all members of this vibrant community,”

said Arvin Delacruz, Architect at Abonmarche.

“The modern library experience has so many opportunities to prompt connection, learning, and community activism – and our team is excited to design those opportunities into a built environment that works for the community members of Edwardsburg and throughout the region. We look forward to our partnership with Cass District Library as they embark on this new investment.”

Arvin Delacruz

Architect | Abonmarche

JENNIFER SAWYER

Project Manager | The Barton Group

the barton group

Cass District Library has partnered with The Barton Group to provide Owner Representative services for the new Edwardsburg Branch Library.

The Barton Group (TBG) team will provide the support for Pre-Construction, Construction Administration, and Furniture, Fixtures, and Equipment services.

TBG’s construction professionals will provide valuable project guidance to ensure the library’s needs are always met.

Abonmarche and TBG will coordinate to help evaluate construction bids and choose the right contractor to bring the new library to life. TBG will provide overall team management and project oversight, allowing Cass District Library personnel to focus on providing the services the community relies on.

AMELIA BARKER-KING

Commercial Real Estate Specialist | The Barton Group

Cornerstone

A major force behind commercial construction in Southwestern Michigan, Cornerstone was awarded a bid from Cass District Library, in a competitive bidding process.

“Our strengths lie in our experienced construction professionals who provide the highest quality and value for a variety of trades.”

Frequently Asked Questions

How is the Library Funding These Improvements?

In order to secure funding to begin work on the project, the Board voted to levy a new millage to address the annual loss in tax revenue due to the Headlee Amendment. The Headlee override passed in August of 2022, securing an additional $215,000 per year in additional revenues for the Library. The land for the new branch was purchased with cash reserves earmarked for capital improvements.

Fundraising will also be an important component of this project. To give please visit here
Why Not Renovate the Current Library Building?

Simply put, we’ve outgrown our space. We recognize that while an expansion to the Church Street facility could happen, we will never overcome parking issues and will always be limited by the size and shape of the physical lot itself. Costly structural issues affecting the building’s foundation are also a deterrent to expansion. The Facilities Master Plan determined that a branch 3x larger than our current space is immediately needed and the new location on US 12 will provide more than adequate space for future growth as services and use continue to evolve. The current branch does not meet patron or staff needs and is reflective of outdated service models. A new building will provide the Library with limitless possibilities. We envision flexible, welcoming, accommodating, and accessible spaces for work, play, learning, and community building.
What Will Happen to the Current Library Building?
Do People Actually Use Public Libraries?

Cass District Library locations are true community hubs. In 2023, we recorded over 58,000 visits and circulated over 118,000 items. We issued over 920 new library cards and offered over 200 free programs. We are proud to have partnered with dozens of community organizations including multiple school districts, County parks, Midwest Energy, and the Pokagon Band of Potawatomi.
Branches hosted 6,175 computer sessions and 9,529 wi-fi sessions in 2023, in addition to circulating internet hotspots and Chromebooks, allowing thousands of County residents access to jobs, entertainment, critical information like medical and governmental benefits, and friend and family connections. Public libraries can still be a place for quiet study and reading, but they are so much more, and the new Edwardsburg Branch will help to connect patrons not only to information, books, and resources, but to each other.
How is the Library Governed?

Founded in 1993, Cass District Library and its Board of Trustees exist by virtue of the provision of P.A. 24 of 1989 of the Laws of the State of Michigan and exercise the powers and authority and assume the responsibilities delegated to it under said statute. All management and control of the Library District is vested in a Board of Trustees consisting of 8 Trustees; 4 appointed by the Cass County Board of Commissioners and 4 appointed by various townships. Trustees serve staggered four year-terms. The Board of Trustees appoints a qualified Librarian who holds the office of Director.
Who Does the Library Serve?

The District consists of five branch locations that serve 38,000 residents across 12 townships (Volinia, Pokagon, LaGrange, Penn, Newberg, Howard, Jefferson, Calvin, Porter, Milton, Ontwa, Mason). Through reciprocal agreements with neighboring libraries, valid card holders at Dowagiac District Library, Wood Memorial-Marcellus Township Library, and Van Buren District Library are eligible to borrow books from Cass District Library at no charge. All students and educators who either attend or work at a school in Cass County are eligible for a free Education Card.
How is the Library Funded?
Where Can I View CDL’s Facilities Master Plan?

In 2021, CDL hired Intersect Studio (Kalamazoo, Michigan), who teamed with Bialosky (Cleveland, Ohio) to develop a comprehensive Facilities Master Plan to serve the district over the next 20 years. The Facilities Master Plan examined the various communities within the Library’s service district and provided a roadmap to inform capital improvements at three branches. The completion of this plan paved the way for the current Edwardsburg Branch project. To read the plan, click here.

Further Questions?

For further questions about the project or the Library, please contact Interim Library Director Rhonda Belcher at rbelcher@cassdistrictlibrary.org

Edwardsburg Branch Build

The Facility

construction timeline

site preparation

site utilities

flatwork

Underground

Going Vertical

Rough Ins

Interior Finishes

Swinging Doors

Furnishing