The Public Library of Cincinnati and Hamilton County is planning three groundbreaking ceremonies to mark the start of construction on new branches in the communities of Clifton, Reading, and St. Bernard. The ceremonies are all scheduled to take place Monday, April 21. These three branches are expected to be completed by spring or summer 2015.
Clifton Branch renovation/groundbreaking: April 21, 1:15 p.m., at 3400 Brookline Ave. The 10,000-square-foot house on the National Register of Historic Sites will replace the 2,500-square-foot storefront occupied by the Clifton Branch for more than 50 years. Also known as Parkside Manor, this house was built in 1895 for George “Boss” Cox and later became a Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity house for more than 60 years. Fraternity member Michael Dever acquired the building and later donated it to the Library. The new branch will have on-site parking as well as outdoor lockers for after-hours hold pick-ups – a first for the Library.
Reading Branch groundbreaking: April 21, 2:30 p.m., at the site located on Reading Road across from Southern Avenue. The new Reading Branch will be a 12,000-square-foot branch and replaces a 2,000 square-foot storefront that has housed the branch since 2000. The branch will include a drive-up service and ample parking.
St. Bernard Branch groundbreaking: April 21, 4 p.m., at the site located at Vine Street and McClelland avenues. The new 8,000-square foot St. Bernard Branch will be built on property donated by St. Bernard. It replaces the 2,000-square-foot facility currently housed in the St. Bernard Municipal Center, space generously contributed to the Library since 1970. St. Bernard will have parking on a nearby lot purchased by the Library.
All three branches will have expanded collections, computer labs, meeting/program rooms and individual study rooms, Maker Spaces, and self-check stations. A customer service model, in which staff will provide service with mobile devices, will be implemented at all three branches. Also, all three branches were designed for energy efficiency, and LEED certification is being pursued both for Reading and St. Bernard.
Update on Avondale accessibility renovation project: Work is nearly complete on the Avondale Branch, located at 3566 Reading Road. Construction crews have been adding a handicap-accessible entrance, elevator, two new accessible bathrooms, program space, and a host of other branch updates. A grand opening ceremony is planned when the work is completed. An announcement on the date and time of that ceremony is expected by the end of April.
