Visitors who stopped by Wildwood Library Tuesday, Nov. 13 had a chance to look into the future, in a way, as design concept boards were displayed projecting what a new Wildwood Library could look like.

Tim McIllwain, of HCM Architects, offered a few words at the beginning of the hour-and-a-half long open house. He explained the design concepts shown in the images represented the firm’s effort to include elements community members said were important to them as part of the three previous community engagement events.

The proposed design is a larger library, with several walls of glass windows to allow in more light. McIllwain said the design was cleaner, brighter, and capture the warm, welcoming environment patrons said they wanted. Architects also focused on a useful flow from the outside space around the library, to the inside space where the collection and programming areas would be.

Some notable aspects in the drawings include:

• A fireplace
• An outdoor seating area
• Flexible space use with movable walls
• More meeting rooms
• Kids and teens areas separated from the all ages/adult section by a central service desk

The design drawings and building layout plans will be on display through November 21. Visitors are invited to look over the plans and offer feedback via comment card. The project is expected to go to bid in February 2019, with construction beginning after the fourth of July.