The doors at the Twin Lakes/Randall Community Library closed Sept. 18 and soon after storage pods took up residence in the parking lot, housing thousands of books and related equipment.
Although it may not look like much is happening from the outside, patrons will be amazed at the changes they will see when the library reopens.
Last week Director of the Community Library System, LeeAnn Briese, opened the doors for a few photos. Rows of neatly stacked boxes, each carefully coded, form walls throughout the library.
“We coded them so we will know exactly what shelf, what row they go on,” Briese said, who noted she has packed up a few libraries in the past.
Walls have been knocked out, opening up the entire space, making it lighter and creating convenient traffic patterns. The library was originally 3,800 sq. ft. The renovation has expanded that to 6,300 sq. ft.
A new ceiling, painting, trim, shelving, lighting systems and carpeting are in place. Many of the original shelving units are in good shape and will be reused.
There is a new main desk area by the front door and a convenient work area for computers. There is a private office and meeting room and much more storage. There is even a dedicated room for staff to eat lunch or take a break.
“There is a place so customers can walk in and drop off materials without waiting and an area for those who need more assistance. It’s all streamlined for convenience and it just makes sense now,” Briese said.
The children’s library area will be located where the video store was. What was once the back wall of the video store has been removed. There is a rest room and sink conveniently located in this area. There are several other restrooms located throughout the library as well.
A new delivery area has been created toward the rear of the building, making it much safer for packages and book deliveries to be brought in without squeezing by patrons.
Return materials by Jan. 31
Patrons who checked materials out from the Twin Lakes facility before it closed will have an extended due date of Tuesday, Jan. 31.
All materials may still be returned sooner to the book drop at Twin Lakes or to the other Community Library locations in Salem or Silver Lake.
Patrons should also remember the Silver Lake Library has extended its hours to accommodate Twin Lakes patrons. Those hours are Monday through Thursday, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Friday and Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and closed on Sunday. The Silver Lake Library is located at 729 S. Cogswell Drive.
The Salem Library is located at 24615 89th Street. Hours are Monday through Thursday, 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Friday and Saturday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and closed Sunday.
Briese said a soft opening, then a grand reopening, will be held in the spring, probably in March, depending on how fast work goes in the upcoming weeks.
For more information log on to www.communitylib.org or call 843-3348.