Re-Imagining Our Library: Youth Services


The Re-Imagining Our Library initiative transformed the Salina Public Library’s Youth Services Department into a vibrant destination where children, teens, and families can read, play, create, learn, and grow.

Designed to better meet the evolving needs of our community, the renovation introduced dedicated spaces for every age group, a Youth Programming Room, a teen area, flexible meeting spaces, updated technology, a family restroom, a private nursing room, and inviting seating throughout. Construction began in January 2026, and after months of transformation, the newly reimagined space officially opened with a community celebration and ribbon cutting on July 17, 2026. This project was made possible through the generosity of our donors, the dedication of our steering committee, and the support of our community.

A Look Into the Re-Imagined Spaces

Youth Programming Room

A child-centered space, offering expanded opportunities for staff-led activities.

Littles Space

Targeted for preschool children and their caregivers, this space includes hands-on play, seating for reading together, and a family PC.

Teen Space

A defined, but still visible, space for teens to hangout, create and study.

A Look Into the Process

Remodel Timeline

  • July 17, 2026: Official Grand Opening and Ribbon Cutting Celebration!
  • June 25, 2026: Library closed to move materials to the new space.
  • May 29, 2026: Lighting and HVAC grilles have continued to be added, while carpet and LVT flooring is being laid throughout the stacks area. The last of the aluminum storefront was installed, and the main desk and cabinets were all set. Final painting of walls and soffits has started, as well as cabinet and trim painting within the Prescott Room.
  • May 15, 2026: Received delivery of millwork items and started setting cabinets in preparation for next week’s countertop templating. The last of the floor prep and leveling is taking place ahead of LVT/carpet flooring. 
  • May 8, 2026: All remaining can-light rough-in boxes have been installed. Floor preparation has begun. Aluminum storefront framing has started at the meeting, programming, and teen room openings, and door installation continued with new hardware being fitted.
  • April 24, 2026: All tiling is complete, and painting has begun. Fixtures and ceiling grid installation have started.
  • March 13, 2026: Plumbing and electrical in-wall rough-ins were completed and inspected.
  • Feb. 20, 2026: Stud framing complete
  • Feb. 2, 2026: Demolition complete
  • Jan. 5, 2026: Construction on the Youth Services space has begun. The lower level will be inaccessible until construction is complete.
  • Nov.17, 2025: Library Closed to allow for material transition on the main level.
  • Aug. 1, 2025: All book donations paused to help free up storage space.

“There are so many great opportunities for kids at the library. As a parent, I am grateful for so many engaging and educational (but still fun!) classes and programs that are available to such a wide range of ages.”
-Sara R., Patron

Steering Committee Members

Allyson Walker
Head of Fundraising
Melanie Hedgespeth
Director
Amy Adams
Assistant Director
Katie Zey
Head of Marketing
Amanda Little
Head of Youth Services

Crystal Stuart
Signature Personal Insurance
Heidi Feyerherm-Smith
Love, Chloe Foundation
Judy Nold
Retired Educator
Gretta Kontas
Friends of the Library
Krista Linenberger
Salina Public Schools
Michael Freeland
Mr. Freeland Design

Brainy Babies-2-2

Project Supporters

Benefactor $150,000+

Robert & Aileen Button Fund

Advocate $70,000-$149,999

Supporter $15,000-$69,999

Dane G. Hansen Foundation
Friends of the Salina Public Library
Blue Beacon Truck Wash

Ally $1,000-$14,999

Bennington State Bank
Dr. Gary & Mary Anne Weiner
Dr. Steven Tenny & Veronique Stough
Eaglecrest Retirement Community
Elizabeth & Robert Garrison
Erik, Karen & Brooks Bonar
Evergy
Exline Inc.
Fund for Early Childhood Care, Education & Development
Gary & Karen Stansberry
Great Plains Manufacturing Inc.
Greater Salina Community Foundation
In Memory of Ann Burgess
Joyce Pigge
JRI Hospitality
Julie Christensen
Kristen Dill
Kristin & John Gunn
Kummer Family Fund
Linda Smittle
Lynne Ryan
Mac Steele
Marshall P. & Janice Stanton
Michael Walsh
Mike & Debbie Berkley
Modern Woodmen
Morrison Foundation
Nancy Hampton
Nathan Stremcha
REPCO
Rhonda Cash
Rose Hieger
Ryan & Lisa Mahler
Salina Downtown Lions Club
Salina Family Healthcare Center
Salina Regional Health Foundation
Sarah Buechel
Superior Contracting & Manufacturing Services Co.
The Bank of Tescott
Tim & Pat Ault-Duell
Verla Nesbitt Joscelyn Foundation
Zimmerman Family Foundation

Contributor $100-$999

Ad Astra Books & Coffee House
Allyson Ronning
Allyson Walker & Seth Mangus
Amy & Chris Adams
Ann Nowlin
Bank of the Plains
Baylee Kampfe
Ben & Aubrey Fetherston
Betsy Scholten
Braeden & Dana Johnson
Brian & Judy Weisel
Brian & Julie Richardson
Chuck & Brenda Cook
Dalton & Kirsty Hartley
Dan & Jennifer Stutterheim
Deb & Eric Kohn
Debbie Toll
Donna Kastl
Doug & Sarah Alt
Dr. Michael & Dineel Grant
Dr. Natalie Morgan
Dupy Family
Eloise Hodgson Lynch Charitable Fund
Emily & Connor Bounds
Equity Bank
Exchange Bank
Gary & Susan Williams
Gerry Cox
Gloria Battin
Great Plains Federal Credit Union
Hannebaum Grain Co. Inc.
Hillary Richards
Hutton Corporation
In Honor of Alice Potts
In Honor of Doris McDiffett & Vonnie Siegrist
In Honor of Ron Price
In Honor of Susan Ravenkamp Jamison
In Memory of Patricia Bartles
In Memory of Theresa & William Buechel
James & Tandis Peterson
James Cram
Jane M. Yake
Janet Suelter
Janet Winter
Jarred Green & Sheila Shaffer
Jeffrey & Paula Knox
Joe & Mary Lou McKenzie
Joel & Diana Looney
John & Shannon Kingsley
Jon Isin
Judy Marshall
Judy Nold
Karen & Rod Meier
Karen Scott
Karilea Jungel
Karla Waters
Karma & Max Deforest
Ken & Amy Stonebraker
Kevin & Stephanie Cool
Kimberly Fairchild
Kristi Herr
Kristin & David Van Tassel
Larry Myers & Diana Stewart
Laura & Brent Rhodenbaugh
Lori Berezovsky
Lou Ann Dunn
M. Sweat
Marie Robinson
Mark & Jane Berkley
Mark Messenger
Martha Oakes
Mary Shaffer
Mary V. Lemon
Mead Lumber Co.
Melanie & Brian Hedgespeth
Michael Chambers & Jim Loader
Michael Durall
Michelle Coats
Mike & Mary Lou Hickel
Mike & Polly Hoppock
Nancy Nickell
Native Daughters of Kansas – Saline County
NexTech Wireless
Norio Kawabe
Pestinger Heating & Air Conditioning Inc.
Peter & Sara Johnston
Pinion
Riley & Madeline Grant
Rita Deister
Robert & Kathleen Vidricksen
Robert L. Jenkins
Rolf Potts
Ryan & Crystal Stuart
Ryan & Lindsey Haworth
Salina Family Vision Care
Sally Keeler
Sally Siegrist
Sarah & Aaron Wedel
Scott Bontz & Emily Rude
Solomon State Bank
Stonecreek Financial Solutions
Teresa Stevens
The Floyd Family
The Gillig Family
Tim Blake Family
Tim & Dorothy Roeder
Vera Zerger
Zöe & Theron Greenemeyer

Partner Up to $99

Amy Rundquist
Anita Wiechman
Anne Aeschliman
Barbara Harmon
Beth Schmitz
Bill & Donna Longbine
Carol Brandert
Charles Newman Jr.
Christine Klein
Danelle Okeson
Dean & Betty Groves
Dena & Bruce Tabor
Hugh Irvin
Ila Jean Boardman
In Honor of Linda Ingram
In Honor of Maurine Leckberg
In Honor of Zailan Wiggins
In Memory of my mother
Janet Denning
Jennifer Kruger
Jody Crocker
John & Mary Quinley
Josh Rubino
Joy Kindler
Kathleen Willow Leenders
Kelly Brown
Kevin & Lynn Peterson
Kim Hoelting
Le Ann Claire Weller
Leonard & Judith Greenwood
Linda Reynolds
Lois Boettcher
Lynn & Jeff Gillam
Mark & Patricia Bandre
Marvin & Kris Walker
Mary Horn
Megan Dixon
Mike & Dianne Neustrom
Mike & Marlys Wagner
Mike Mattson
Morgan Powell
Nancy Mitchell
Natalie & David Wood
Patrick & Teri Harrington
Paul Florquist
Rebecca Donelan
Rebekah Farmer
Riley Grant
Rita Dunlap
Rocio Einwich
Rosie Walter
Sandra Patterson-Slaydon
Sherilyn Adams
Sheryl Anderson
Stephen Williams
Strategic Al-Khaliq
Sue Geiger
Susan Nelson
Teresa Weaver
Terri Lynn Marx
The Cretel Family
The Little Family
The Lough Family
The Purser Family
The Valentin Family
Timi Sankey

Donations made to Salina Public Library are tax-deductible to the fullest extent of the law. Consult your tax, legal or accounting advisors regarding donations.