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The leaves are changing, and so are we!
On Monday, October 12, we’ll begin repairs to our lobby, staff area, and downstairs public areas due to water damage. It seems appropriate that this autumn season, when the trees change to their prettiest appearances, is when we also start our refresh!
We will try our best not to disrupt programming, but please keep your eye open for events that may be held upstairs or in secondary locations as needed so that construction crews can work safely.
With that in mind, here are some important pieces of information for the renovation. We will update as needed as we go along, or please feel free to call, email, or stop by to ask questions! We will also post updates on our Facebook and Instagram accounts – both construction alerts and photos as the process goes along. We’re pretty excited!
The Library will close October 12-15 so that the lobby ceiling can be repaired.
- For the safety of both patrons and construction crew, there will be no public access during this time.
- You can access our free WiFi 24/7 throughout our parking lot and almost to the pickleball courts in Kindleberger Park.
- Nothing will be due during the Library’s closure. You can return books, movies, and audio books to the front drop box if needed, but please hold on to puzzles, games, and Library of Things items until we reopen. We do not charge overdue fees!
- Please hold off on bringing in Friends of the Library donations during the closure; we won’t have a good way to go through them or take them down to the Friends’ Book Sale Room. Their Holiday Raffle is coming up soon, though, and they are requesting donations of wreaths, quilts, artworks, themed baskets, and individual items that would work well in a themed basket. They’ll accept donations for the Raffle the week following the renovation closing. All donations must be brought in by Monday, October 26. Raffle tickets will go on sale on Monday, November 2.
- You can place reserves for books, movies, puzzles, games, or Library of Things items through our catalog or by calling (269) 343-7747 during normal Library hours. Staff will be in the building to answer the phone, email, and online chat!
How do I pick up reserves during the closing?
- We’ll have door-to-door service: our back door, that is!
- Please be aware that the lot behind the Library building is very small, and watch out for Library staff and other patrons.
- When you arrive at the Library’s back door, call (269) 343-7747, ext. 1. A staff member will take your information, locate your reserves, and bring your items out for you!
What happens after the closing?
- We will go back to regular Library services, and repairs and renovations will continue in the downstairs public spaces. We expect this project to take several months.
- For the most part, events should go forward as regularly scheduled: most of the downstairs repairs are cosmetic and won’t affect use of the space. On rare occasions, some programs may need to be moved to a different location, like the main floor of the Library, to help facilitate larger portions of the project.
- If you are sensitive to drywall dust, paint fumes, and/or other construction byproducts, please be aware that they may be present in the areas where work is being done.
What is being repaired and renovated?
- Last summer, pipes burst in the HVAC unit above the lobby overnight, soaking the drywall and drop ceiling there and running down into the staff area and the community room, hallway, and bathroom downstairs.
- Insurance is covering the repairs to the areas that were damaged, and the Library is taking this opportunity to make some needed updates to the downstairs bathrooms, kitchen, and community room. The wall coverings and many of the fixtures are original to the building, and while some are just as sturdy as ever, others are ready for a refresh.