The Marshall County Council members were presented with an additional appropriation request Monday morning for a renovation project at the Plymouth Public Library.
Library Director Steven Buras explained that the $5 million additional appropriation will be coming from money saved by the library for over 20 years, no bond money, but now library officials need permission to spend the money. The council approved the additional appropriation request with a unanimous vote.
Buras told the council that the appropriation was considered in 2021, but bids came in over budget so some aspects have been scaled back a bit to fit the budget, but keep the general intention of the project.
“We’re being fiscally conservative with taxpayer dollars,” said Buras. “We have now scaled back things strategically keeping more of an interior walls versus completely demolishing everything. I think it’s going to end up being about a $400,000 less this time around versus last time with the construction and roof combined.
Plans are to completely remodel the interior of the library to take advantage of more of the 30,000 square feet available to the thousands of patrons who utilize the Plymouth Public Library. Buras said the adult, young adult and children sections will be completely refreshed to adjust to current needs of the public. There will be new conference and program spaces, plus a concentrated area for those who need to use computers. More natural light will come into the library for a more pleasing atmosphere, along with additional open areas for patrons to gather, learn, research, read, and collaborate.
New furniture will occupy the library, and the exterior of the library will see some improvements, including landscaping.
The library’s roof is currently undergoing replacement as there were several leaks throughout the building. Buras commented that roof portion of the remodel was separated from the interior plans due to costs. That project cost about $875,000 and began in May. It is anticipated to be complete in mid-August.
Buras added that the library continues to thrive with plenty of programs and activities for adults and children. About 800 children are participating in the Summer Reading Program this year which is an increase of several hundred children from previous years. The program ends Friday, July 15.
Buras said the hope is to open bids in the late fall with contracts signed by Thanksgiving with construction beginning in 2023. When the project begins, it will take about a year to complete in a two-phase process.
It has been 22 years since the library last saw a facelift.
