Library Announces Grand Reopening Festivities
 

        A Grand Reopening Party will be held for the public to celebrate the completion of the renovation of the library.  The Grand Reopening party will take place Friday May 13 from 3 to 6 PM.  Alan Boyne, Kirk Fuhrmeister and other musicians will entertain patrons with acoustic music. Comestibles donated by Market Chef and Backdoor Kitchen will be consumed and enjoyed.
 

        The renovation includes adding about 30% more shelf space, improving the teen area, making wireless Internet available for patrons, increasing the size of the children's area, adding a quiet room for research and writing, and adding a "living room" area complete with a fireplace for comfortable reading.
 

            "The library looks so open," said Lauren Stara, library director.  "We think people will like the warmer colors during our long, dark, wet winters. Having more shelf space means we'll be able to keep more books longer, while we will be able to continue to add to our collection."
 

            This renovation was undertaken after the Library Board's attempted purchase of more land for the library failed. The 1995 renovation expanded the physical plant but never adequately dealt with the various library concerns such as space for children, computers, and long-term development of the library collection. The revamped library-- while feeling different-- will address the needs of the community for many more years to come, said Ruth Offen, a long-time trustee.
 

            "We really appreciate the patience the community has shown throughout this process.  The public was very generous with us while we had extremely limited hours during February and March, and when we re-opened in March, the library was fairly chaotic.  Our 85 volunteers really bore the brunt of moving thousands of books, dismantling and moving old bookcases, dusting and dusting and dusting, and trying to put things away properly when their 'proper location' changed from day to day.  A big 'Thank You' goes to everyone who helped, and to all of you for tolerating our upheaval," Stara exclaimed.
 

        The previous expansion of the library was begun in 1994 and completed in 1995. San Juan Island has experienced intense population growth since then. In 1994 the board of trustees knew the community was growing, but felt that it wasn't yet necessary to install all the shelves that are required now.  They decided the library expansion should take place in phases, with the current remodel being the second phase. In 1994 a public bond financed the construction.  Library trustees paid off the bond in 2000, and began setting money aside each year to complete this current shelf expansion.  Fiction, non-fiction and children's shelves were so crowded last year that for each new book purchased, it was almost necessary to find an old one to remove.
 

        The library renovation project began with a study performed by architect Lisa Roberts of Buffalo Design during fall 2003. The library trustees decided to proceed with the remodel, held focus groups, solicited patron comments, and offered public meetings to ensure public involvement in the decision-making during 2004. Some of trustees concerns were that worn carpets presented a safety hazard and that the library's wooden shelves did not comply with updated earthquake codes.
 

            The job was put out for sealed bids, first to architecture firms, then for to general contractors.  Buffalo Design won the bid for the architect's contract in Spring 2004; and the project began in earnest. Westmiller Construction, Inc. won the bid for the general contractor.  Shannon Doherty was the project supervisor. According to contract, Westmiller began work in early 2005, and completed the project on time and budget. Subcontractors were Friday Harbor Electric, for electrical work; Reynolds Flooring, for carpet and linoleum; and Wilson Electric and Plumbing, for plumbing.
 

        The Library's collection includes both fiction and non-fiction books for very young children, for grade-school aged children and for adults. In addition to its collections of books, audio books, DVDs, videos and magazines to loan, the library also provides computers for public use.
 

        Library hours are Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 10 AM to 6 PM, Tuesday and Thursday from 10 AM to 8 PM, Saturday from 10 AM to 5 PM and Sunday from 1 PM to 5 PM.  Library cards are free to island residents with proof of residency.