NewsPalm Beach CountyRegion C Palm Beach CountyWest Palm Beach

Actions

PBC Main Library closing temporarily for major transformation

Posted at 9:37 PM, Sep 18, 2018
and last updated 2018-09-18 21:37:48-04

Time has run out to use the Palm Beach County’s Main Library on Summit Boulevard before it closes temporarily.

Starting Wednesday, the entire library will be closed until November for a $2.7 million major transformation that will help meet the needs of parents and families.

The scope of the project includes an expanded children's area, a dedicated teen room, and additional study rooms.

Taylor Krieger and her kids can hardly wait.

“I’m actually really excited. I think it's going to be great," she said. “My oldest son loves the library, he loves reading he loves to be here."

Library manager Adam Davis walked us through what to expect.

“This is our current children’s room and as you see it’s filled to capacity," he said, pointing to several bookcases stacked closely together. "So doubling the size is really going to help us.”

This library is one of the most heavily used but has one of the smallest children’s sections. Walls will be taken out to double the space.

“The new design is going be like a sun with the children’s desk in the middle…and the bookshelves making rays outside of the sun.”

more computers and space will be added to help hundreds of children and parents each week with after-school activities and study programs.

“We can work with more students, with more parents," said Davis.

For adults, more study rooms will be built.

“We’re going to be more than doubling it to seven study rooms and we’re going to be moving all of our computers in one area so staff can help people with computer needs," said Davis.

A dedicated teen room will also be constructed.

“We really want to reflect what the community wants and what the community asks," said Davis.

Library director Douglas Crane says they’ll also be doing roof repair, exterior painting, a generator overhaul, and air conditioning work.

“We want to offer our community the opportunity for a little more breathing space," he said. “We're being very careful about making sure this closure is as short as possible.”

A partial opening of the Main Library will take place in early November during which half the building will be available to the public. They expect to complete construction of the expanded children’s space and teen room in late December or early January.

“The quicker we can move through, the quicker people will be able to come back and use their library," said Crane.

During the first phase of the renovation, the public will be referred to the Greenacres, Lantana Road and Okeechobee Boulevard locations for library service.

"The Palm Beach County Library System has a vision to open minds to a world of unlimited possibilities through education, technology, and growth. This plan will continue to serve as a guide for the Library’s future development as a cornerstone of a well-informed and educated community," said Crane.