Norris library shuts down for remodeling
Kathy Myers, a member of the Friends of the Betty Anne Jolly Community Library group in Norris, tapes up a box as she helps pack up the library’s books last Friday so renovations could begin. (photo:G Chambers Williams III )
But don’t worry – there will be no overdue fines when you bring it back late, at least this time.
That’s because the Betty Anne Jolly Community Library will be closed until Nov. 14 for about $80,000 in renovations, which will include tearing out the old carpet and installing new stone-core vinyl plank flooring, said library Director Kimberlee Byrge.
Money for the work came from a donation by the William Jolly estate, she said.
Besides replacing the flooring, the library also will be getting new laminated-wood shelves, which will replace metal shelves and some smaller wooden shelves, Byrge said.
“We’re also getting a new circulation desk,” she said.
Getting ready for the renovations has been a big task in itself.
Over the past week and a half, library staff and volunteers have boxed up all of the books and other library materials and moved those boxes into the library’s program room – which does not have carpet – for temporary storage.
“The shelves must be moved to install the flooring,” she said.
Byrge said she’s had experience doing this – she was on staff at the Clinton Library when it was being remodeled.
The Norris library occupies part of the McNeeley Building at One Norris Square, which also houses the Norris Museum. That building was donated to the city by the McNeeley family, and once housed the McNeeley medical clinic that is now on Andersonville Highway.
The McNeeley building also is getting some updates, including new exterior siding, which is being coordinated and paid for by the city, which owns the building.
Even though the library will be closed for the next two weeks, the book depository will remain open at the rear of the building, and the staff will continue to answer the library’s phone during regular hours Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Byrge said.
The NORVAT volunteer transportation program will continue to operate during the closing.