Library to Temporarily Limit Services Beginning September 1

The Racine Public Library, 75 Seventh St, will be closed to the public on Wednesday, September 1, 2010, and will reopen on Thursday, September 2, 2010 with limited services to patrons. The library is conducting a reorganization of materials and services to prepare for extensive re-carpeting and renovation work being started on the second floor. The second floor will be unavailable to the public for approximately twelve weeks beginning Thursday, September 2, 2010, resulting in limited access to materials. The Mobile Library will remain open on Sept 1 and materials due on that date will be extended to Sept. 2. For a schedule of the Mobile Library's neighborhood stops call the bus at 262.939.2264, the main library at 262.636.9217, or visit the library's website at racinelibrary.info.

Public use of Internet terminals and study areas will be severely limited during the second floor renovations. The library will provide eight one-hour computers for adult Internet use in the first floor atrium with . Available study areas will be limited to tables in the Youth Services Dept. on the first floor. After 2pm, however, children will be given priority access.

Browsing of the library's second floor adult materials will be prohibited during this renovation period. To access the library's adult materials, patrons will be asked to place a hold on items via the Mobile Library (262.939.2264), the library's website (racinelibrary.info), or through telephone reference services (262.636.9217). Some items placed on hold may not be accessible during renovations. Materials in the Youth Services Dept. will still be available for public use.

Absolute Construction Enterprises will be overseeing removal and replacement of the old carpet. Balestreiri Group will be conducting the abatement of asbestos beneath the carpet. Hallett Movers, specializing in library moves, will be performing the moving of shelves and materials. Embury, Ltd. will be installing any necessary new shelving.

Questions or comments may be directed to Jessica MacPhail at 262.636.9252 or jessica.macphail@racinelibrary.info.

Wednesday, September 1: Library Closed Due to Reconstruction

On Wednesday, September 1, 2010, the library will close to the public in order to allow the staff to reorganize the services and resources which will be available beginning Thursday, September 2, 2010. Materials originally due September 1 will be due September 2.

The second floor will be unavailable to the public for about six weeks, starting Thursday, September 2, 2010, while the area is treated for asbestos and then recarpeted.

Space for studying and Internet access will be severely limited. Eight computers will be available to adults, for one hour per day. A few tables will be available in the children's department, but children have priority after 2pm.

Materials placed on hold may not be accessible, depending on the location of the items at the time of the request, since the collections will be moving around during this time.

Balestreiri Group will be conducting the abatement of asbestos beneath the carpet.

Absolute Construction Enterprises will be overseeing removal of the old carpet and installation of the new carpet squares.

Hallett Movers, specializing in library moves, will be performing the moving of shelves and materials.

Embury, Ltd. will be installing the new shelves necessary.

Adult patrons are encouraged to check out any adult materials they might need before August 31, 2010.

Children's materials will be available.

June 18, 2010: Racine Public Library Renovation Update

The Racine Public Library's Director, Jessica MacPhail, has released this public information concerning the library's current

renovation process:

"Beginning Monday, June 21 and continuing through Wednesday, June 23, steel beams will placed into concrete on the second floor atrium area creating an extremely high noise level. Although the area is surrounded by plastic sheeting protecting the public from dust, little can be done to contain the expected intense noise. We apologize for this inconvenience and ask for your patience while the library is being renovated."

The library began a six month renovation and re-carpeting project beginning in mid-May. The current phase, the infilling of the atrium, is expected to be complete by the end of June.

The following changes have affected library usage:

• Meetings and programs scheduled to be held in three of the library's meeting spaces have been relocated to the Peg Martin Room and to the Youth Services Dept. to accommodate storage needs.
  
  
• Seating areas near the East windows have been reduced to accommodate the library's fiction collection being moved from its location on the west side of the building.
  

Questions may be directed to the project manager, Darcy Mohr, at 262.636.9247 or darcy.mohr@racinelibrary.info.

Library Board Approves Bid to Renovate and Recarpet the Second Floor

The Racine Public Library, 75 Seventh St., will begin a possible six month renovation and carpeting project beginning in May.

The Racine Public Library Board of Trustees has approved a bid for $246,000 to renovate and replace the carpet in the adult department on the second floor. The lowest responsible bidder was Absolute Construction, from Racine. The cost of replacing the carpeting, which was installed in 1989, is being shared between the City of Racine and the library. Other renovation costs are being paid for with the library's endowment funds.

The bid includes adding floor space on the second floor by infilling the atrium between the administration area on the first floor and the adult services department on the second floor.

In addition to the carpeting project the library will be creating a separate teen area, will be adding a Racine History Room, and will be reorganizing collections of materials for more convenient access by patrons.

The renovation process will take place over the next six months (subject to change). The following changes may affect library usage:

• Beginning May 10, meetings and programs scheduled to be held in the Emily Lee Room will be relocated to the Peg Martin Room to accommodate storage needs.

• Seating areas near the East windows will be eliminated to accommodate the library's fiction collection being moved from its current location on the west side of the building.
  

• Asbestos abatement will begin in the northwest corner of the library on May 24.
• Infilling of the second floor atrium will begin June 1.
  

Questions may be directed to the project manager, Darcy Mohr, at 262.636.9247 or darcy.mohr@racinelibrary.info.