Meadville library reopening with numerous improvements following January fire
Gertrude, the 14-year-old, 6-foot-tall newspaper-stuffed mascot that watches over the
"We'll have completed about five years' worth of improvements in about five months," Executive Director
The library boasts an all-new heating and ventilation plant and updated electrical systems as well as new
But improvements at the library have not been limited to repairing fire damage. Brice and his staff also took advantage of the building's four-month closure to launch the 21st
Another incomplete part of the repairs will likely prove more significant to visitors over the weekend. Brice does not expect the air conditioning to be working until early next week due to a delay in shipping some of the parts.
Despite the fact that repairs and improvements are not 100 percent complete, the library was committed to reopening at the beginning of June, according to Brice. Similarly, despite the extended nature of the closure, the time and cost of renovations were worth it.
"We decided we had to do it," Brice said.
It's not every day that a library has the opportunity for the kind of renovations that have been undertaken, according to Brice. The recent closure of the
Visitors are likely to notice changes to the
The library's computers have been centralized to an area of the main floor, and there are fewer of them now. Brice said use of the library's computers has decreased sharply in the last few years as more and more people are bringing their own laptops or devices. The patrons using such devices will be pleased to see a new charging station and plenty of new power outlets on the main floor.
Kids should notice another change just a few feet from the new
The castle incorporates much of the helicopter, which had itself once been a fishing trawler and before that a sailboat, according to Brice, who demonstrated his flexibility by crawling up to the balcony during Thursday's tour of the library.
The improvements also include safety upgrades to make the library compliant with contemporary building codes. The building now contains five times as many smoke and heat detectors as it had before the fire, Brice said, including detectors in the attic, which had previously lacked them, and an alarm that automatically notifies the fire department.
The previous safety equipment "should have notified the fire department before," Brice said, "but for whatever reason that day it didn't."
The attention of library staff on Thursday was focused on the future, however, not the fire that caused more than enough damage despite being limited to a single room.
"'Thrilled' is the only word for it," said
After turning people away in recent days, Minnis and other staff members were excited to open the doors.
"That way, everyone can see the books are just fine," Minnis said, "and the building is just fine."
They expect a big crowd today, Minnis said.
After all, that's when all the items checked out before the temporary Twig location closed will be due.
You can go
___
(c)2018 The Meadville Tribune (Meadville, Pa.)
Visit The Meadville Tribune (Meadville, Pa.) at meadvilletribune.com
Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
Bright Health Announces Rollout of Supplemental Coverage Package for its Colorado Customers
DNC Issues Statement on Insurers’ Plan to Hike Rhode Island Health Rate
Advisor News
Annuity News
Health/Employee Benefits News
Life Insurance News