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Normal Public Library on pace for mid-2025 reopening

Workman equipment stacked up inside the gutted older section of the Normal Public Library
Emily Bollinger
/
WGLT
The Normal Public Library said its asbestos abatement and facility renovation project is on pace for a mid-year reopening.

Normal Public Library leaders say the nearly $7.6 million asbestos removal and renovation project is on schedule for a June reopening of the library.

Workers have gutted the older portion of the building that had asbestos and are working on the newer (west) portion of the facility that did not. Asbestos fireproofing coatings had been spalling off of fireproofing insulation in the basement away from public use.

Normal Public Library leaders said deliveries of new furniture to install in the updated library are scheduled for June.
Emily Bollinger
/
WGLT
Normal Public Library leaders said deliveries of new furniture to install in the updated library are scheduled for June.

Earlier reporting by WGLT noted the abatement and renovation bids were $5.1 million. Library Director John Fischer said those remain on budget. That did not include expenses for McKee Environmental to assess the facility, test air quality, and give final approval to move ahead with renovations after complete abatement. The library has included those in the total project cost.

Nine months into the project to take out the cancer-causing fibers and refresh the facility, the library board has also voted to change the way it is financing the effort. The original plan had been to use more than $5 million in reserves and to borrow a couple million for the rest of the expense and pay the loan over time using annual revenue. Board Chair Beth Robb said they have decided to use special reserve funds for the entire project and avoid borrowing.

“We are working through the final details of our furniture replacement, budgeted with this project and will bring a quote for approval to the January regular meeting,” said Library Director John Fischer in board meeting documents.

Planned delivery for all furniture, fixtures, and equipment is June 2025. The library is also doing additional window maintenance to increase energy efficiency.

Since the library closed for the work in March, it has operated out of a smaller facility in a vacant rented bank branch building across the street from the main facility in Uptown. The limited space and access have affected use. Total circulation for November was down 63% from the same month last year, the library reported.

WGLT Senior Reporter Charlie Schlenker has spent more than three award-winning decades in radio. He lives in Normal with his family.