Irvin L. Young Memorial Library is excited to announce that our long-anticipated expansion and renovation project is set to begin on September 9, 2024. This project will enhance our facilities and provide our patrons with an improved library experience.

Important Dates and Access Information:

• Construction Start Date: September 9, 2024
• Library Closure: September 16 to Mid-October 2024
• Parking Lot Access: No access from September 9, 2024 until completion of project, anticipated in October, 2025. Only street parking will be available. The lot will be used for the placement of construction trailers and materials. A fence will be erected to secure the area and ensure the safety of our community members.
• A temporary entrance is being constructed on Center Street, next to the Whitewater Room that has the stained glass.

During the initial construction period, the library building will be closed to both staff and patrons beginning on September 16, with a planned reopening in mid-October. Miron, the construction company overseeing the project, has indicated that the work will conclude by October 11, 2024. However, to ensure flexibility and account for any unforeseen delays, we are advising the public that the closure may extend through mid-October.

During the closure patrons may obtain materials from other system libraries through the library website; simply specify an alternate pickup library, such as Dwight Foster Public Library (Fort Atkinson), Powers Memorial Library (Palmyra) or Jefferson Public Library. If a patron already has items on hold there are two choices: 1) Change the pick-up location to another library, if hoping to obtain the item before mid-October, or 2) Leave the hold as is. It will be suspended and when the library reopens the hold will again become active without losing their place in the queue.

Stock up: All items that are being checked out now are being given a due date of October 21 in case the closure is longer than expected. This also applies to items that have been requested from another library in our system.

Groundbreaking will be held on Wednesday, October 2 at 5 p.m. with speeches at 5:15. Cake and beverages will be served.

Contribution pledges: Soon everyone who still has an outstanding pledge will be receiving a reminder letter. If a donor is able to fulfill a pledge earlier than was committed this will help the city to minimize the amount of funds that may have to be borrowed in order to make the construction payments.

We are committed to keeping our community informed and will provide ongoing updates through our website and social media platforms. We appreciate your patience and understanding as we work to enhance our library facilities.

Editor’s note: This article was written by Lynn Binnie with considerable assistance from the library director, Diane Jaroch.