Frequent travelers of the Elma Timberland Regional Library will want to stock up on their preferred forms of literature in the coming weeks as the library is expected to be closed for renovations.

The Elma City Council announced, via their weekly zoom meeting on Monday, April 18, that the library will be receiving some modifications to the library staff area, as well as fresh application of paint within the facility given there has not been a fresh set of paint since the opening of the building in 1994.

Library manager Dee Depoe, who is leading the proposal for the library upgrades, said the main scope of the project will consist of the construction of two office spaces for staff in which they will look to remove built-in cabinets, repair drywall, install heating and cooling among other smaller things.

“Timberland Library’s Facilities Team will repair, patch, and paint the interior of the building and two new offices will be built in the workroom,” explained Depoe, via email. “These offices will support staff and facilitate our growing virtual work styles to accommodate virtual meetings, training and programming.”

The project was originally introduced to the City Council last year with the main intention of installing lockable doors and a circulation desk, but the new request was met with no concerns from the council.

According to the city of Elma Public Works memo, all material and labor will be covered by the Timberland Library Building Fund with the actual labor being done by the Timberland Regional Library Facilities Department.

As recorded from the Timberland Regional Library’s final budget report for the 2022 fiscal year, the cost of the project will not exceed more than $32,000 as that is the amount allotted to the Elma building through the Timberland Library Building Fund.

The project is set to begin May 16 with a timeline of three weeks until completion. However, the library will close two days prior to allow for workers to move shelves away from the walls so that painting can be completed.

If the three-week estimation for the work project holds true, patrons will be allowed to return to the library starting the week of June 6.