The Normal Public Library will close at the end of the month for up to a year. The library expects the $5.1 million asbestos abatement and renovation project will take at least 10 months.
The library will open a temporary branch across College Avenue from the library, in the former Busey Bank branch.
“We will build up services at the branch as we transition from 206 W. College to the temporary location at 201 W. College. Curbside hold pickups will be available April 1, and we will add additional services throughout the beginning of April,” said Laura Golaszewski, patron experience manager.
The temporary branch also will have a small browsing collection, public computing, printing, copying, and faxing service, and librarians to help people access other services. Most of the library collection will be available on request.
Programs, including story times, book clubs, and take-and-make programs, will continue at various off-site locations, per the library online calendar.
Space constraints will force the library to quickly offload books and other materials donated to its ongoing book sale. There will be a $5-bag sale Saturday and Sunday to reduce stock. Money raised will go to the library foundation that supports special programs at the library.
The renovation will include asbestos abatement of the 1973 portion of the facility, updates to wall coverings, lighting, ceilings, floors, ducts and the computer network. Construction will begin in the spring. Funding for the project comes from the library's reserve funding, the library foundation, potential grants, and debt service.
