Library Renovation
Library Renovation
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Renovation details
Updated information 8/28/2007
After a long, hot (30 days without air conditioning,) dusty, summer, the
main library is starting to emerge from its cocoon of scaffolding, drop cloths,
ladders, etc. You will notice the changes as soon as you step through the new
automatic sliding doors and we think you will be pleased by what you find
inside. In addition to the new carpet and tile, the first floor has received a
fresh coat of paint.
There are some things that still need to be done, most notably the restrooms on the first floor. These should be completed by the end of September. In fact, the whole project should be completed by the first of October so we can have a grand re-opening. Although it was not part of the first floor renovation plan, we will be adding security cameras to all three floors at the library this month. A new security station has already been installed in the lobby.
Updated information 6/1/2007
Work continues on the first floor of the library. In May, the north doors were
replaced and the new sliding doors were installed. Work on the south entry has
begun. Whenever work is being done on the doors, the entrance must be closed. We
dont always know in advance that the workers will be here, but we will post
the appropriate signs as soon as we do know which entrance has to be closed.
Tile work continues on the grand staircase. It should be done in the next two weeks. Once it is done, the safety railing will be installed. While the work is ongoing the central stairs will be closed to traffic so please use the elevators to reach the second and third floors. We think the tile is a huge improvement and makes the lobby look lighter and brighter. Of course, some of the lightness is due to the skylight which has been cleaned and repaired.
We are waiting for the carpet to be delivered. You may have heard about the carpet mix-up in the local media. We thought that part of the project would be completed by the end of May but now it looks like it will be closer to the beginning of July.
Overview of the renovation
project
On April 9, 2007, the long anticipated renovation of the first floor of the
library began. For the next
three to four months, the library will be noisy, dusty, and turned upside-down.
There will be a disruption in service and for that we apologize. We ask for your
patience during the project and promise that we will do our best to cause the
least inconvenience to our customers.
The first phase of the project is the demolition of the restrooms on the first floor, including the restroom in Youth Services. Not only will the fixtures, partitions and tile be removed and replaced but the entrances to the main restrooms off the lobby will be reconfigured to meet accessibility requirements.
During the 2nd and 3rd week of April, the carpet in the lobby and the central staircase will be replaced with tile. During this time the doors on the 7th Street side and the Capitol Street side may be closed of course, not at the same time!
The main building book drops are closed beginning and will not re-open until further notice. Customers may drop off items inside the building, at the drive-up drop on the corner of 7th and Capitol, or at one of the branches.
In May, the heart of the project begins. The front doors will be replaced. Instead of the current doors, we will have sliding doors that open as you approach the building and close behind you. The orange-red carpet will be taken up and replaced. There will be a new color scheme on the first floor. At the same time, work will be ongoing in the elevators (to bring them up to code) and on the skylight. To expedite that work, particularly the recarpeting, the first floor of the library and the collections housed there will not be available to the public from May 10th May 21st. The second and third floors will remain open, but getting in and out of the building will be changed. Check-out and book return will most likely be at the Reference Services desk on the second floor. Meetings scheduled for the Carnegie Room between May 10th and May 19th will be cancelled. The library will be closed May 10th 13th and opened for reduced hours May 14th 18th.
We will be announcing these schedule changes in the May newsletter and through our usual media outlets: radio, T.V. and newspapers. If you are in doubt, call us at 753-4900. The branches, Southeast and West, will be open their regularly scheduled hours during this time.
The first floor remodel seemed to be the perfect time to make some needed changes in Youth Services. In addition to new carpet, we will be moving the information desk. In fact, it will be a brand new desk in a brand new spot. The public computers will be relocated. We hope to add new workstations, new furniture and additional shelving for DVDs and audiobooks. The key component of the Youth Services remodel will be the addition of a multipurpose space that will house our Project Next Generation program and a computer training lab for kids 0-12; but, which can still be used for traditional story times and crafts.
Funding for this project will come, in part, from the Friends of Lincoln Library and the Lincoln Library Foundation. Their generosity will not be enough, however, to do all that we want to accomplish. If you are interested in contributing to the project, contact Nancy Huntley at 753-4921 for details.
