2008 Economic Impact Awards Top Honors, Innovator of the Year: Springfield-Greene County Library District

Case in point: In April alone, 143,582 people walked through the library systemwide; 10,291 patrons used meeting rooms; and 305,000 books and media were checked out.

And so it made sense three years ago to start considering what presence the library should have in downtown Springfield’s ongoing revitalization – a trend seen in major urban areas that have anchored their downtowns around libraries, Busch says. The relocation, for instance, of Kansas City Public Library’s main facility into the former First National Bank building helped to revive its center city.

“You’ve got to get people downtown for something. Once they’re downtown, they’ll do other things,” Busch says.

The new Park Central Branch Library at 128 Park Central Square serves that purpose in Springfield. Opened in April, the ninth addition to the library district is an arts-and-media themed, nontraditional facility designed to attract younger, tech-savvy patrons.

“We wanted it to be more urban, edgy, modern and yet comfortable,” Busch says. “I thought it would appeal to younger folks, but older people like it, too.”

When the discussion about a downtown branch began, a new structure was considered, and a South Avenue location was the focus, Busch says.

But then attention turned to the square, because revitalization requires a public commitment, she says. In addition to the traffic a library generates, its presence is a signal to developers and retailers that redevelopment is a worthy risk.

“It’s different,” Busch says of the Park Central Branch, “but it’s also a good economic engine to help what’s on the square. … I think it really needs a public, institutional presence.”

Library board member Morey Mechlin says the new facility will be a great destination for downtown dwellers.

“That Park Central Branch has such a unique niche. … That corner has come to life,” she says. “It has certainly proven to be a destination site. … People are coming to the library … and when they come to the library, they spend money.”

Innovation has been a hallmark of Busch’s tenure, which began in 1989 when she moved into the executive director spot.

With the support of a forward-thinking board, Busch says, the library opened its flagship branch in 1999 on South Campbell Avenue in a renovated Payless Cashways warehouse. For $78 per square foot, the cavernous building was transformed into The Library Center.

The Library Station on Kansas Expressway followed four years later, replacing the Kearney Branch. The district, which has a 2007 budget of $11 million, also has two neighborhood facilities – the Brentwood and Midtown Carnegie branches – and branches in Republic, Willard, Ash Grove and Fair Grove. The library was also one of the first places people could access the Internet. Busch says she’s ready to step aside and let her successor take the district through the next tech wave. She’ll retire Jan. 6, 2009.

“Staying relevant through this new digital revolution is going to take new, energetic minds,” she says.

Springfield-Greene County Library District

Address (main): 4653 S. Campbell Ave., Springfield, MO 65810

Web: www.thelibrary.org

Employees: 240

2007 Budget: $11 million

Did you know?

3.6 million books are checked out each year from the district.

Information accurate at the time of the honor.