By WMBD-TV
NORMAL – The Normal Public Library will be shutting down in a few weeks for some much-needed upgrades.
The $5.1 million project will remove asbestos and renovate the library’s carpeting, flooring, lighting, internet and walls. It will be funded by library reserves, Normal Public Library Foundation donations and debt service.
“It’s about time and it’s exciting,” said Library Director John Fischer. “It’s most exciting because we know when we open up, we’re going to have a safe building, a healthy building that can continue to serve the public for years.”
As depicted in the above picture, Fischer said asbestos is everywhere. They found it in the fireproofing above the ceilings on all three floors and drywall joint compound around the entire building.
“If you were to look on top, resting on top of the ceiling tiles, you would see chunks of fireproofing that have fallen. That’s one of the dangers too and it continues to fall and break off,” he said.
The extensive renovations will close the library for about nine to ten months.
“The matter in which the asbestos is removed is quite invasive. They use mechanical scraping, they use water pressure, so its going to be messy in here,” He said. “We have to move out all of the staff, all of the desks, all of the books, all of the shelving.”
Fischer said library services will continue in some form, as individuals come to the library everyday to read the paper, check out books, use the internet and even use the fax machine.
“I’m very empathetic about the use of the library on a daily basis… our aim is to open somewhere nearby where we can serve you, but we have to close this building,” he said.
The public is encouraged to visit their project website for updates.
