An outdoor reading garden and parking garage are scheduled to be additions to the new Schlow Memorial Library, 100 E. Beaver Ave.

State College Planning Commission met yesterday to discuss the development of the new building, the construction of which should be completed by July 2005, said Teresa Sparacino, director of the Downtown Improvement District.

Alan Stewart of Sweetland Engineering & Associates, 600 Science Park Road, reviewed plans for the new structure, which will include a two-story library with basement, a 73-space parking deck and an outdoor garden area for children.

The new building will encompass the original library building, which includes the former Romeo's Pizza, 110 E. Beaver Ave., and a part of Highland Alley that used to be the location of Jim's Army and Navy Surplus Store, 227 S. Allen St.

Other businesses that will be moved out because of the library's construction include T&M Unlimited Tailoring, 231 S. Allen St., New Age Bicyclesport, 223 S. Allen St., and Totally Twisted Pretzels, 225 S. Allen St.

"The garden will be fenced off for safety and will be accessible by key access only," Stewart said.

"It can be used for reading and library activities."

Schlow director Betsy Allen said that the east side of the building that will face the garden will have seven large windows that can be used as an overlook.

The building will also house a Centre Area Transportation Authority satellite office on the Beaver Avenue side of the library.

Allen said that the parking deck would be reserved for library patrons and will be regulated by tickets with time stamps.

"The time stamp will show how long someone has been in the library," Allen said.

"We will impose a fine if the time frame does not fit how long someone might spend in the library."

Allen added that a book drop-off would be located in the front of the new building facing Allen Street.

Right now, there are no plans for an area where a patron can park while returning books to the library, although there is a possibility of developing one, Allen said.

State College Borough Council President Tom Daubert expressed concern about the location of the book drop-off.

"People want to be able to drop off a book without having to park a block away," Daubert said.

"I think a location in the alley would be more convenient."

Allen said putting the book drop-off near the alley might cause problems, since that part of the building is scheduled to be used as a service area.

Daubert added that book drop-offs in surrounding counties have space where a patron can either drive up or park for a short amount of time to return the books.

The library is in the process of moving its operations to a temporary location at 118 S. Fraser St. in the former State College Municipal Building, where it will be during the construction.

The temporary location will open for business on Feb. 23.