"BUILDING RENOVATION- PART II"

I thought it was time to give you an update on how your library renovation project is coming along and I am happy to report it is coming along very well.

As you may be aware, the first phase for this year-long endeavor began on Monday January 7, 2008 and is expected to be completed by late April. Come spring you will find a complete upgrade with enhancements in the Children's Room. This includes:

-new carpeting
-new lighting
-new family restroom
-new interior painting
-new windows
-re-configuration of furniture and equipment for easier access and comfort

The other improvements are behind the scenes. They are:

-upgrades to the staff and volunteer work areas
-preliminary preparations for drive-up book drops
-installation of a new sprinkler system

We are now in the process in preparing for Phase II. This next step will take approximately three months to complete. It will involve:

-expansion of the Teen Room
-new study rooms
-new Literacy area
-new conference area
-upgraded Business area

In order to move back into the completed Phase I area while preparing for Phase II, the library will need to be closed from one to two weeks depending on the amount of work required. As we get closer to this part of the renovation project and the closed dates have been firmed up, an announcement will be made.

This renovation project which was made possible through a $1 million State Library construction grant is expected to be completed by the end of this year with a grand reopening scheduled for January 2009. The grant is a dollar for dollar match with the State Library providing $500,000 with local matches of $200,000 from the Pinellas Public Library Cooperative, $200,000 from the library's reserve funds and $100,000 from the library's Endowment Foundation. An additional $100,000 has been provided by the Palm Harbor Friends of the Library for the architectural fees. The contract for the project was awarded to Caladesi Construction Company after a competitive bid process was held per State Library and Pinellas County Government requirements.

For further information and updates on the construction progress, please continue to access the library's website, www.palmharborlibrary.org.