Work completed on Lodi Library homework help room
Seven months after construction began, the Lodi Library homework help room is finally complete. Finishing touches are being made to electrical equipment and the furniture will be arriving next Thursday.
According to Library Director Dean Gualco, the homework help program provides free tutoring for students up to eighth grade. The program had 3,000 students in 2013 but has grown to 7,000, creating a need for a new room.
“The dramatic tripling of the homework help program has necessitated the need for additional space,” Gualco said.
He noted that the addition of the new room is the first expansion to the library since it was built in 1979.
In addition to the homework help program, which is available Monday through Thursday from 3 to 6 p.m., the new room will also be used for community meetings. The room fits 40 people comfortably and the public will not be charged to use the space. Before, there was only one room in the library that could hold over 30 people.
“Now with this room will be able to have the homework help program going and at the same time we’ll be able to produce events for others in the community. We’re so excited about that aspect, to be able to offer this additional programming to our kids,” Gualco said.
Gualco noted that the original projected cost of the homework help room was $275,000 and the project remains on budget. The Library Foundation donated $120,000 it collected through fundraising efforts.
In addition to the homework help room, plans have been completed for a new teen space, and the Lodi City Council will consider bids for the project at its next meeting.
Plans call for closing off the center rear section of the library for space that will have a media center equipped with computers, TVs and cameras. The space will be furnished with tables, computer stations and other comfortable furniture. The teen scene will also have two conference rooms and an outdoor patio equipped with microphones and speakers that will also be open to the community. The teen scene will only be available to those 18 and under.
Gualco said it will cost between $480,000 to $490,000 to complete the project, and half of the money will come from funds the library has saved over the years while another $150,000 will come from the Library Foundation.
Construction is expected to begin in May.