New Gaylord Library set to open on Monday
February 21st, 2008Books are in place at Gaylord’s new library which is scheduled to open on Monday, February 25th.
To improve and expand its facility, the Gaylord Library is moving west a block in what was previously the City Hall building.
Gaylord librarian Wanda Messner reported Monday that the contractor is applying the finishing touches to the new facility later this week. When this edition of The Gaylord Hub went to press, the library was set to open Monday.
Yet to be completed included dry wall work and “finishing touches” around windows, Messner explained. She said the main auditorium of the library is ready to open.
A children’s and teen’s area, and a reading area with a fireplace are some of the features of the new library.
“More room” is going to be the most noticeable thing about the facility, Messner believes. The new library is approximately two times as large as the previous facility. Messner said there is more room to sit and read and more shelving space.
Volunteers began moving books, shelves and computers to the new library earlier this month. Messner said the volunteers worked tirelessly and moved a bulk of the furniture on one night. She thanked all the volunteers for their help.
Volunteers also contributed their time and labor last April to gather furnishings from the Barnes and Noble bookstore in Mankato. The bookstore relocated to the River Hills Mall and donated furniture from its former facility. Gaylord was second on a large list of libraries and schools interested in acquiring items from the store. Volunteers gathered nearly two semi loads worth of furniture for the new facility.
The library is opening about a month later than initially planned. According to project manager Gayle Mach of Short Elliot Hendrickson Inc., there was a delay in the delivery of exterior doors, frames and hardware. The doors and associated egress hardware is required for issuance of the Certificate of Occupancy from the building inspector, Mack explained.
According to Messner, a “walk-through” or final inspection of the facility is planned for later this week. This will include Mack, the contractor (Brennan Construction) and the City’s building inspector.
Another final task for the new library is the purchase and installation of two exterior signs estimated to cost $12,461.00. Gaylord’s City Council, last week, approved this portion of the project.
Money for the signs will come from the library project’s contingency budget. According to City Administrator Kevin McCann, the contingency budget for the project is $111,202. He reported that $1,913 has been spent to date.
Approximately half of the new library project is being funded by a grant. In December of 2006, Gaylord learned it has been chosen to receive a $471,910 grant for the library’s expansion/relocation project. The City agreed to match that grant.
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