Library restoration project making large strides toward reopening
The Knowlton Library has not been open to the public for the last six months, while undergoing an extensive restoration project following building-wide damage sustained Dec. 25, when a frozen pipe burst above the computer lab, leading to 2 to 3 inches of flooding throughout the entire 220 N. Main St., building.
Library staff are very eager to greet patrons inside the space once again, and much progress has been made in recent months toward that goal. New carpeting and flooring was installed throughout the library in April, and the metal shelving that survived the flooding was set back up as well, ready for thousands of books to be on display once again.
Logan County Libraries Executive Director Beverly Arlequeeuw said 4,000 boxes of largely unorganized books were brought back into the library during April, and since then, staff have spent the recent weeks cataloging and organizing the collection, which is now shelved in each of the browsing areas of the library.
“It feels alive in here once again,” Arlequeeuw said Thursday, June 15. “All the books bring back the life and the color to our library.”
With all of the behind-the-scenes restoration work by contractors and dedicated efforts of library staff to ready the facility, the library director said they are hopeful to have a full reopening of the building in late summer or early fall, although she has not been given an official completion date from contractors.
“When we’re ready to open our doors again, we’re planning to have a full-scale celebration to show the public our restored library, with a newly designed layout to improve their browsing experience,” Arlequeeuw noted.
“I know our community is anticipating it so much, being able to be back here again. Our staff is very ready to welcome them back, too. It’s going to be a very happy time for all of us.”
It’s been an incremental process to repair the damage deemed “catastrophic” to the entire building, working with insurance adjustors through the numerous claims. It is also contingent upon the availability of construction materials, computer equipment and the arrival of new furnishings.
“We have good insurance through the Ohio Plan, which covers all Ohio libraries. We are working through the time frame with adjustors,” the library director said. “I want the citizens of Logan County to know that we are fully covered by insurance; this is not going to cost our taxpayers.”
In the interim before the full-scale reopening, the Knowlton Library is looking at being able to open up for curbside pick-ups utilizing the facility’s hold lockers located outside the main entrance. Arlequeeuw related that once the 48 data lines that were damaged in the flooding are pulled and the new network cables installed (offering faster service and better coverage, too) the curbside service is likely to be an option for patrons.
At the same time, all of the Logan County Libraries’ branch locations in DeGraff, Lakeview, Rushsylvania, West Mansfield and West Liberty are offering extended hours and programming throughout the year. Summertime story times are currently taking place at all of the branch locations, which have been well-attended, staff members noted.
Story times also are offered at Brown Park in Bellefontaine at 11 a.m. Wednesdays. Visit https://logancountylibraries.org for further details.
Fittingly, the theme for the library’s summertime program this year is “All Together Now.”
To that end, community partners have stepped up throughout the restoration project, with many entities offering to host library events and board meetings at their facilities at no cost to the library, from Richwood Bank in Bellefontaine (located at the former Carnegie Library), the American Legion Harold Kerr Post 173, the Logan County History Center, The Grove in West Liberty, Green Hills Community, Fion Wine Room in Huntsville, Huntsville Presbyterian Church and many others.
“We’ve built so many partnerships in the community. So many different groups, churches and organizations have been very accommodating to us,” said Stephanie Lamb, teen services coordinator. “We can’t thank them enough for their support.”
Other special programs have even taken place outdoors in the Knowlton Library’s parking lot this summer, including a special activity set for Saturday, June 24, when the Armstrong Museum presents, “How Solar Eclipses Work” from 11 a.m. to noon. Geared for children ages first-grade and older, participants will discover how solar eclipses work and will design their own eclipse observer out of household materials. Registration is required at the library’s website.
Relating to the Knowlton Library’s new layout once it’s able to fully reopen, patrons will first notice when they walk in a new coffee bar area near the entrance, enabling them to pick a beverage to sip while warming up to a book or magazine. Comfortable seating is planned near the coffee bar, which also will be located next to the periodicals as well.
In the children’s area, layout improvements are are being implemented, including more open space for story time; flexible and fun children’s furniture; and a new “maker’s space” craft area. Manipulatives will be added at the end of the shelving, and early literacy computers will be back in the space, too.
The library director noted that the former computer lab (also “ground zero” for the flooding issue in December) will be transformed into the local history room. At the same time, the former local history room will be the new teen lounge at the back of the building, giving teens their own space that they need to make the library their own, Lamb explained.
“We want them to feel comfortable coming in and staying awhile,” she said. “We’ll have comfy places to sit, gaming consoles, a space for an Internet café and lots of fun activities planned.”
Patron computers will be moved to the center of the main area of the library near the reference desk, with computers set up, along with desks and connections for laptops.
A new seating area also is being installed on the west side of the building by the large windows that overlook north Main Street.
“This feels like the perfect spot to grab a book and get to sit for awhile,” Arlequeeuw said. “Previously, we had shelving that was blocking this area.
“We’re also setting up the shelving so that we have a clean line of sight all the way from the circulation desk to the back of the library, so that staff are better able to keep an eye on the building.”
In recent weeks, representatives from the library’s architecture firm Freytag & Associates Inc. performed a walk-through of the facility to specifically look at how to avoid future damage to the fire suppression system when winter weather inevitably hits again.
“That corner of the library that had housed the computer lab unfortunately sees the brunt of the winter weather,” the library director said, noting the 30 degrees below zero windchills that hit the area during the December storm.
“We’re looking at adding protection for when the weather turns on us again and doing our due diligence. The architects had a couple of ideas for how we can accomplish that and we’ll get a full report from them.”
ServPro of Central Auglaize, Hardin and Logan Counties was hired for the initial clean-up phase. ServPro employees put in long hours during those initial weeks, including responding to library within an hour of being called on Christmas Day.
Link Construction Group is leading the reconstruction phase. Library Design Associates is assisting with the reordering and placement of new furnishings.
“All of the individuals who have been working on the project alongside us have been wonderful,” Arlequeeuw said. “They are eager for the library to re-open as well.”
A detailed question and answer section about the restoration process also is available on the library’s website.