(Posted Oct. 15, 2017)
By Kristy Zurbrick, Madison Editor
Plain City Public Library will close for renovations starting Nov. 22. When it reopens in April, patrons will find a reconfigured space equipped with new technology cabling, lighting and electrical wiring.
“We have pockets in the building now that are not efficiently used. With space at a premium for us, we looked at the facility and wanted to make the best use of the space,” said Chris Long, director.
To increase space for public use, the library is decreasing the size of its staff work areas, reducing paper usage to decrease storage needs, and creating more multi-purpose areas. One example is the children’s reading room, which with reconfiguration will be open to all patrons when children’s activities aren’t in session.
“All of these little efficiency things will add up to more convenience for customers,” Long said.
The cost of the renovation is $585,000. The library is covering the cost with money it has saved over the past several years.
“Any little bit of carryover, we’ve been squirreling it away and investing it where we can,” Long said. “We took our time in planning this because we knew our budget would be tight. We looked at every angle possible to make it as cost effective as we could.”
Library services during renovations
During the renovations, the library will open once, from 12 to 8 p.m. Dec. 2 for Plain City’s Christmas Under the Clock activities. Otherwise, limited services will be available at a temporary location at 249 W. Main St., east of the library’s parking lot, for the duration of the project.
Library patrons will still be able to place holds on books and other material from the online catalogue on the library’s webpage, www.plaincitylib.org. Starting Dec. 11, reserved materials will be available for pickup at the temporary location: Monday through Thursday, 10 a.m.-7 p.m., and Friday and Saturday, 12-6 p.m. An after-hours book drop will be available at this location, as well.
The library’s digital library and online catalogue will remain live during the renovations, and library personnel will post updates on the library’s Facebook page. Anyone who would like an in-person tutorial on how to use the library’s digital content is encouraged to visit the library before Nov. 22.
Some library programs will continue at other locations around Plain City. Program dates, locations and contact information will be listed on the library’s website. The library’s board of trustees will meet at 6:30 p.m. on the third Monday of each month, November through March, at the Pleasant Valley Joint Fire District, 650 W. Main St., Plain City.
Adopt-A-Bookshelf
To help raise funds for additional shelving, the library recently kicked off an “Adopt-A-Bookshelf” fundraising campaign. For a onetime donation of $50, participants can use the area under a bookshelf to handwrite a signature, message, original art or dedication. The adopted shelves will be placed back into the renovated library, creating a time capsule of sorts to coincide with Plain City’s 200th anniversary in 2018.
“For donors, the shelves are a little piece of personal history that stays with the library,” Long said.
Adoption guidelines can be found online at plaincitylib.org/adoptabookshelf.
For more information about the renovation project or library services, call (614) 873-4912. Plain City Public Library is located at 305 W. Main St.
