The Normal Public Library is just a few months away from finishing its roughly $7 million renovation and asbestos removal project — even as another capital expense looms.
“The current roof on the 1973 building is failing,” Library Director John Fischer said. "Perforated joints, seams that should be tight and secure are a half inch or an inch apart."
In the current environment of rising construction costs, Fischer said the library is unsure of the bids it will get in April or May. A rough estimate for a roof replacement is more than $500,000. The library is looking at aluminum or steel, though steel is questionable, Fischer said.
“We have reserves for that, he said. "We also are currently seeking a grant…to receive at most from the State Library $125,000 to help with that."
Renovation and abatement
While the current renovation is close to completion, Fischer said it will take a few weeks longer than planned because of an extended delivery schedule for about $1 million in new furniture. He said renovations on the building's west side are moving "at a good pace," but the earliest he expects the library to open is July 1.
The roughly $7 million project cost includes environmental monitoring services on top of the asbestos removal and renovation. An earlier estimate was $7.6 million. The library has budgeted for $7.3 million but may not reach that. Fischer said some change orders increased costs and others decreased costs.
“There were many pieces of electrical that we discovered during that needed to be replaced," Fischer said. "That was an added cost but necessary to keep the building healthy, especially electrically safe. Then we had planned to do some moisture vapor emission control on all three floors. This is a sealant that is put on concrete flooring to keep moisture vapor down. The tests indicated we only needed it in one of the six areas in the foundation. We saved a bundle on that."
When the public can use the library again, Fischer said he hopes it will find a warm, bright and friendly environment.
“Where we've had windows covered up by shelving, we've been able to open that up," he said. "More daylight comes in. We've taken advantage of newer lighting technology, I think we've got the LED color just right, so the temperature is brilliant and bright, but feels like daylight inside."
Fischer said the library has tried to shrink shelving height from 70-90 inches to about 56 inches. He said the lower shelving has not affected the size of the collection much.
“So you can see over shelving, and light travels through the building and the larger rooms," he siad. "Especially on the west side, offering a comfortable experience where folks feel welcome to browse and sit and enjoy a newspaper and a cup of coffee.”
Branch library
April 1 marks a year since the facility closed for renovation, reopening in a temporary site across the street at a former bank branch with much more limited capacity. Circulation is down 50-50%.
“But I gotta tell you, we get some really positive responses from the community. People enjoy coming in there, browsing for books in a small area, or using the computers,” Fischer said. “We're thankful for the support of the community and really excited to welcome folks back to our facility.”
