Written by Mackenzie Manley, Content Specialist, Downtown Main Library
Starting Friday, Sept. 12 at noon, the Avondale Branch will close for renovations. A temporary space, located at Living God Church, 434 Forest Ave. (at the corner of Harvey and Forest), will open Monday, Sept. 15 at 10 a.m. for customer use in the meantime.
The Details
While the Avondale Branch undergoes renovations, customers can use the nearby temporary branch space, which will include:
- Holds pickup and material returns
- In-person and curbside service
- Curated items for browsing and checkout
- Public computers
- Printing, copying, and faxing
- Limited events
Customers can also look forward to continued programming. According to Branch Manager Tiffani Carter, customers can expect the branch to continue providing free meals to kids and teens through UMC Food Ministry. Other events that will continue in the temporary space include:
- ProjectArt Classes every Wednesday and Thursday at 4:30 p.m. for ages 8-18
- Ethics and Dragons every Monday from 4:30-6:30 p.m. for ages 12-18
- The branch’s Parent Network will continue to meet on the second and fourth Tuesdays of every month
Your Next Generation Library
As a Scheduled Maintenance and Strategic Investment project, the Avondale Branch will see several needed upgrades on both their upper and lower levels.
Elements to look forward to:
- Foundation waterproofing
- Electrical and mechanical service upgrades, including additional heat
- Interior lighting upgrades to LED
- Underground plumbing upgrades
- New basement windows
- Ceiling upgrade in the lower level
- New carpet, paint, and furnishings throughout
Renovations on the upper level are planned to include an accessible front entrance, updated children’s space, renovated meeting room with MakerSpace equipment, quiet group study area, and a new service point.
On the lower level, customers can expect a new flexible program space, two new study rooms, a new meeting room, and a renovated staff space.
“What I’m most excited about is our community and customers having full access to the building again, and reimagining spaces that will continue to allow [the Avondale Branch] to be an imperative third place,” said Tiffani of the coming renovations.
She adds that the project will also help the branch better serve their partners and customers through having more study and meeting room space.
“I have seen how restoring and renovating library spaces can be such an important asset for families, generations, and communities,” added Tiffani. “I know that this will center literacy in a whole different way in our community.”
Find the latest information about the Avondale Branch project here.
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