The Oneida Daily Dispatch (Oneida, NY)
CONSTRUCTION DELAYS
Oneida Public Library director sheds light on new building’s opening date
The opening of the new Oneida Public Library ( OPL) has been much anticipated since the project was set, but complications have gotten in theway.
The newbuilding on main Street was originally slated to open July 2020— but that was before COVID- 19. Construction shut- downs pushed things back to October, and then, again, the grand opening was moved further and further away.
Residents hoped to access the new building in November, then December, and now will likely not see the newspace until January. Oneida Public Library Director Michele Ryan gave some insight on the hold- up.
The window where nonessential construction was halted towards the beginning of the pandemic ended up having a much larger rippleeffect than many anticipated, Ryan shared. The Oneida Library was one of those sites on hold, andevenas work has resumed, the project is facing many challenges.
“Large building projects like the construction of the library require the precise orchestration of amultitude of workers. Each task is layered upon previous work, and even a small disruption from weather or supply chain issues can cause delays for weeks,” she said.
She continued, “When we were able to resume work [ after state shutdowns], many of our contractors had moved their crews onto other jobs that were labeled essential services. The library project had to be incorporated back into their now busy schedules. In addition, the manufacturing and shipping of materials slowed due to the pandemic, causing further delays.”
Still, Ryan says the OPL team has been busy behind the scenes preparing the old building for sale and organizing thenew library for opening. The very final stages of the project, in which systems are tested and certified, is already underway.
“We fully expect to be operational for staff in the next week. We would like to move to a fully open library by January 4th,” she said.
However, as COVID- 19 cases rise in the City of Oneida and Madison County, in- person visits to the library may yet again be thwarted.
Residents need not worry about getting the materials they need if the pandemic keeps them out of the building. Ryan says they are prepared to do curbside ser-vice if necessary, and what’s more, the library has installed a drive- up window for the public’s convenience.
“This newservice not only allows us to operate during the state of emergency, but also provides quick and easy access to library materials as we head into the height of winter weather,” Ryan commented.
Library staff and crew are excited about bringing this new facility to life and look forward to seeing patrons old and new enjoying this community treasure, she said.
To learn more about the Oneida Public Library and stay up- to- date about its opening, follow it on Facebook.