Overdue opening
Completion of library renovations pushed to September
Delays are expected for the opening of the newly remodeled Mabel Boswell Memorial Library in Bryant. Originally, the library was expected to reopen in August, but now, as a result of unforeseen work, the library is not expected to open till early September.
Jill Martin, the assistant director and remodel project manager for the Saline County Library, said some unexpected work had to be done on the floor. She said everyone is still encouraged to use the Bob Herzfeld Memorial Library in Benton, and its Sunday summer hours of 1-5 p.m. will continue through August to accommodate patrons.
The remodeling project was put into effect because the building in Bryant is 16 years old and has never undergone any interior upgrades. The library budgeted more than $300,000 for the project. Martin said the library is using savings leftover from last year’s budget, plus money from this year to pay for the renovation.
“As times change, people want to just hang out in here and use our free Wi-Fi and do stuff like that,” Martin said. “When they do stuff like that, they want to have coffee with them, they want to have drinks, and they want to have snacks.
“Putting in a hard floor that is easy to clean allows patrons to be able to do that. Basically, we are looking to freshen [the library] up and add some new features.”
She said this is Phase 1 in a multiyear project to completely update the look of the building.
Martin said the library hired an interior design firm called Library Interiors of Texas, which created a floorplan redesign to try to make some areas of the library a little quieter and for some areas to be more kid and teen friendly — without drastically changing the building.
“We want to accommodate different age groups and all the different ways that people want to come in and use the library,” Martin said.
“Of course, we want people to come in and focus and use a computer, build a resume or apply for a job,” she said. “So we are pushing the computer lab to one end of the building under a drop ceiling. Hopefully, that will be quieter for them.”
But on the other hand, some people want to come in and hang out and charge their devices, talk and play video games. Martin said she still wants those patrons to use the library as well.
“We wanted to separate the areas so people can find a
quiet space or nook,” Martin said, “or they can find a space that is hangout friendly.”
Martin said that while the library’s main draw is those who love books and want to check out books for themselves or their children, the library offers so many more services than just that.
“We really have something for everyone,” she said. “People, of course, need access to Wi-Fi, computers and printers, and for people who don’t like to read, we have video games that you can check out and board games that you can check out.
“People still come in constantly for DVDs of movies and TV shows because they are free, and you can keep them longer than Redbox.”
She said the library also has a partnership with an online service at www.lynda.com that offers thousands of streaming-video selections for educational purposes.
“Then we just have all the stuff that we do for fun, like craft classes,” she said. “It is a place to come meet people in your community, hang out and have fun — to do something inside when it is so hot outside.”
In addition to providing separate spaces for patron uses, Martin said, the purpose of the remodel and face-lift is to provide a beautiful space that is more fresh, vibrant and modern.
“We want people to come in here and be excited to be in a beautiful building,” she said.
The Mabel Boswell Memorial Library is also adding a makerspace area. Martin said there will be computers for video editing and sound-mixing equipment and a crafting area.
“We are going to use it for guided programs and teaching in the room,” she said. “We will have it open so people can come in and use it for their own projects.”
Martin said the hours for the new makerspace area haven’t been set, but the one at the library in Benton is already open for patrons. She said there aren’t any scheduled classes as yet because the programming hasn’t been determined for the fall, but she said the staff is always open to suggestions.
“We are also adding new computer furniture for adults that will be more spacious and more private,” Martin said. “There will be computer bars for the teens and tweens — just to give it more of a cafe feel for them.”
The library in Bryant has been closed since June, but Martin said the influx of patrons in Benton has not been overwhelming for the staff.
“We had to close the book drop [in Bryant] as well because we don’t have any computers,” Martin said. “A lot of people have been returning [Bryant] materials to Benton, so we have been boxing those and sorting them.
“We are going to have to come back and shelve a whole summer’s worth of returns before the library reopens.”
She said she has noticed an increase of patrons at Benton, but the Sunday hours have helped “a little bit, with us not being too terribly busy.”
For more information, visit www.salinecountylibrary.org or call (501) 778-0536.