The Westfield Washington Public Library parking lot has a few less spaces as construction equipment is in place to begin work on the building’s exterior portion of the 7,000-square-foot expansion and renovation.
“It’s kinda scary and exciting all at the same time,” Library Director Sheryl Sollars said. “I said I wouldn’t believe it until the shovels went into the ground.”
Sollars said construction will take six to seven months with the project to be completed around Christmas or the New Year.
“We’re starting with the addition and walls and then will move into the inside,” she said.
Sollars said the $2-million facility renovation would include cosmetic work and space reallocation will provide greater efficiency by creating one desk for check out. The project also includes a designated computer lab/business center and study rooms that will provide meeting areas for four to six people with one room capable of holding eight to 10 people. The new teen area also will have study rooms.
One of the biggest needs of the library would be addressed by the construction. A 1,000-square-foot community room will be built in the lower area of the library. The space, which has a capacity of 125 people and includes a kitchen, will provide an area for programming and for community organizations to meet.
“Our programming continues to increase in attendance and we have not added any programming space since 1994,” Sollars said.
Despite all the changes, Sollars believes the construction will not affect patrons or cause the library to close.
“We plan to stay open throughout the entire process. I’m hoping we don’t have to close at all,” she said.
The library has incurred one disruption though. Construction requires the library to move its gas line so heat for the building has been temporarily shut off. Sollars said the new line should be installed within a month.
“We’re the place to be cool,” she joked. “I can’t imagine if they were doing this in the winter.”
