The Lionel D. Alford Branch Library first opened its doors in 2003 as part of a master plan included, among other goals, building a larger library in south Wichita.

The Library's current master plan, titled Focused on Community: A Master Plan for the City of Wichita's Branch Library System 2019-2023 , calls for remodeling the interior of this building. The project is scheduled to begin in January 2025. The branch will remain open during construction with drive-up services as well as limited services in the meeting room: a small browsing collection, public computing and printing, and passport issuance.

Floor Plan

This design moves several spaces, including the teen and computing areas. It adds a number of study and meeting spaces for small to medium-sized groups. There will also be a new service desk at the front of the building.

Artwork

Artists are being selected to create works at the Alford, Angelou, and Rockwell branches. Funding comes from the Percent for Art Ordinance and the City of Wichita's Capital Improvement Plan. In 2019, the Wichita City Council approved an ordinance that allotted 2 percent of capital improvement funds to a pool of funding allocated for the commissioning of on-site artworks that then become part of the citywide art collection. The administration of the Percent for Art Program is overseen by the Design Council, an 11-member advisory board.

Artwork at the Alford branch will include:

• Children's Mural: Colorful wall mural above bookshelves in the children's area
• Teen Art Element: Colorful 3D element to define teen space

Applications for artists closed on September 13, 2024. Final selection of artists took place in October. Artists spent December gathering community input and plan to present to the Design Council on January 6, 2025.

Interior Renderings