While Norman residents debate the pros and cons of a new, $35-million-plus library branch for the Pioneer Library System, just a few miles north on Interstate 35, another new PLS library also is in the design phase.

But this one isn’t nearly as controversial.

Situated next to the south Pennsylvania campus of the Moore Norman Career Tech Center, the Pioneer System’s Oklahoma City branch is a joint project between Oklahoma City residents and PLS.

Funded by two separate Oklahoma City general obligation bond issues — the first in 2000 and the second in 2007 — the 18,000-square-foot library will cost about $6 million.

Construction is expected to begin next fall.

And while a design for the facility has been developed, Pioneer officials say that design is not “engraved in stone.” In fact, library administrators have spent weeks scattering throughout the south Oklahoma City area connecting with business leaders, school administrators and even teenagers to get input and ideas for the library.

“The main focus of the informative public meeting is to include the community in the exciting promise of the proposed new public library,” said Pioneer’s CEO, Anne Masters.

Library officials, Masters said, are trying to develop a facility “that will satisfy the information needs of the local citizens and will do it in a way that the community will be proud of the result.”

So far, that concept has worked well.

Last Sunday, library administrators held a public meeting to discuss the new building, new trends in library design and give residents “an overview of the new library project schedule.”

The meeting was held at Oklahoma City’s Eastlake Elementary School and PLS officials said there were few, if any, complaints.

“We had a great meeting,” said Moore Library Manager Lisa Wells. “There were about 61 people, interested citizens, and they asked a lot of questions.”

Wells — part of a three-person team of Pioneer administrators responsible for developing the new library — said residents were “engaged and interested” in the project.

“We’re getting a good response from community,” she said. “They asked some thoughtful questions.”

In addition to last week’s forum, Wells said the library system has taken its case directly to the residents in the area.