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“For nearly a decade, the Library has been evaluating plans to transform our existing facility into a reimagined space that better meets the community’s needs. As we prepare to officially break ground on the project, you can feel the excitement,” said Executive Director Bill Harmer. “In just a matter of weeks, this dream of building a leading edge, innovative and flexible 21st-century library will begin to take shape.
The groundbreaking ceremony will be held on Thursday, Sept. 14 at 6 p.m., just outside the Library on Jesup Green. It is free and open to the public.
Construction is scheduled to begin in September and will last for approximately 18 to 21 months. The work will be done in phases to keep the library open and accessible to the community, and the project will not change the footprint of the existing building.
The first eight months will focus on preparation of the Riverwalk Level, the permanent home of the adult book collection, quiet space, and a newly designed entrance. During this phase, the Riverwalk Level will be closed to patrons, while the Main and Upper Levels will remain open, except for limited periods.
During the next 10 months, workers will transform the Main Level into The Forum, an open, flexible space that will allow for everyday activities and will also accommodate as many as 500 people for major events.
The renovated Main Level will feature an increased number of conference rooms and quiet areas, an enlarged Library Café and a HackerSpace workshop with prototyping equipment and co-working space.
For more information, visit wltransformationproject.org.
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