By WMBD-TV
BLOOMINGTON – Bloomington Public Library announced Friday that it’s ready to reveal the highly anticipated 25-month finalization of its newly expanded and renovated facility worth millions.
According to a press release from the library Friday morning, after 25 months of construction, there will be a ribbon-cutting and celebration on Aug. 1. The ceremony will be held between the Check-out Desk and the Children’s Department on the library’s first floor. The ribbon cutting with include public discourse from local officials and the library’s director.
The ceremony will double as a party to culminate this year’s Summer Reading Program, which is slated to happen from 10 a.m. to noon on Aug. 3.
The $25.2 million expansion and renovation project incorporated about 57,000-square-feet of existing space and about 21,000-square-feet of new space to the facility, according to the press release. Library reserve funds, community donations, a bond and state funding helped ensure the project’s completion.
There has been a new innovation lab, two podcast studios, a computer lab and three large community rooms installed. In addition, more space for children was installed to help youth venture freely.
The parking lot was expanded to include nearly 100 additional parking spots on the two-story parking structure, bordering East Jackson Street on the south side of the library.
The library has also installed solar panels, which were established through the Illinois Solar for All Non-Profit and Public Facilities program.
For more information regarding the project ribbon-cutting and facility reveal, visit the library website here.
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