Norris library remodel complete
$80k renovation highlighted by flooring, shelves
A patron peruses books on one of the new shelves in the Betty Anne Jolly Norris Com- munity Library on Friday, Nov. 17. The library reopened last week after being closed two weeks for installation of new flooring and shelves. (photo:G Chambers Williams III )
After being closed for two weeks, the library reopened last week with most of the work complete.
Renovations included 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 Bill Warren Jolly Jr. estate, she said.
Wood-laminated shelves were installed to replace metal shelves and some smaller wooden shelves, Byrge said.
“We’re also getting a new circulation desk,” she said.
The group Friends of the Norris Library provided help to the library staff in removing and boxing up all of the library’s books in advance of the work, and then putting the books out onto the new shelves once the work was completed.
The Norris library occupies part of the McNeeley Building at One Norris Square, which also houses the Norris Museum. The 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 still owns the building.