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Library to embark on $1.2 million renovation

At the Huntington City-Township Public Library board meeting held Monday, Sept. 17, the library board members voted to approve a $1.2 million construction bid to Hamilton Hunter Builders.

The construction company, located in Fort Wayne, will complete the building construction aspects of the library’s upcoming renovation, a project estimated at just over $1.8 million in cost.

In August, the library board approved a furniture package bid from Productive Business Interiors of Fort Wayne for $334,000. Construction on the renovation will start shortly after contracts are signed and the current project timeline is estimated at 280 days.

The renovation will bring updates to the Huntington branch’s interior, with the children’s area to see the biggest improvement. Currently, the administrative offices area forces the children’s space to be split in two. The locations will be switched in the renovation so that administrative offices are in the farthest back portion of the library and the entire children’s area is in one open, visible space. The children’s area will also have its activities room updated and an additional programming room built, which helps the library in its goal to offer ongoing literacy and growth activities for children.

While the majority of the renovation is focused on the children’s area, there will also be changes to the teen space, adult reading area, adult and teen programming rooms, public meeting rooms, public study rooms and public restrooms. The library will also reformat all of the public service desks to provide an “easy and friendly customer service experience” for patrons. All of the library’s furniture, most of which has been in use since the first phase of the library was built in 1987, will be replaced as well.

 “The intent of the renovation is to bring the entire building up to date in order to provide a better discovery environment for our community,” says Library Director Beka Lemons. “We want to provide a space that allows every member of our community to be comfortable, find what they need and engage in library activities.”

The project will be funded entirely through the library’s accumulated Rainy Day and Library Improvement Reserve Fund accounts. The money has been saved over many years to serve as a fund for improvement projects such as this one. The library’s operating budget and tax levy will not be affected by this project.

The library will post an overview of the construction plans for public viewing throughout the renovation at the Huntington Library, 255 W. Park Drive, as well as on the library’s website, huntington pub.lib.in.us.

Frequent updates on the construction process and project timeline will be posted on the library’s website and social media accounts, as well.

Lemons encourages anyone with additional questions to contact her by phone at 356-0824, by email at rlemons@hctpl.info, or in person at the Huntington Branch.