Tyler library construction progressing toward December opening
Exterior work mostly completed; crews focusing on interior
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TYLER -- Construction of a new public library building in the city of Tyler has made a lot of progress since this spring. The goal for the Tyler Library is to be in the new building by December, said library director Shelly Finzen.
"They're doing the finishing work on the inside," Finzen said.
Much of the exterior work on the building, including the siding and roof, were completed last month, she said. On Thursday, construction crews were at work not only inside the building, but on a new accessible entrance.
Excitement for the new library has been growing, she said.
"Everyone wants to see it," she said.
This week, Finzen talked about the construction status of the new 2,300 square-foot library building on North Tyler Street. The city of Tyler broke ground for the roughly $900,000 project in March. The new library footprint would be double the size of the current library space inside the Tyler city office building.
Finzen said the main open space in the new building will be for the bookshelves, or stacks. Additional rooms will serve as meeting space, a work room and office. Hopefully, the library interior will be completed this fall, she said.
"Right now the plan is, we will be setting up shelving and furniture in October," Finzen said.
The library would close to the public in early November for the move to the new building.
There's a lot of behind-the-scenes preparation that will need to be done before the move, Finzen said. The list of tasks includes going through an inventory of the library's collection, moving items into storage, and coordinating the volunteers to help transport books and other library items to the new building on rolling carts.
"We have a long list of people who have offered to help," Finzen said, but for space reasons it wouldn't work to have all the volunteers together at once. She's hoping to organize groups of about five to seven movers at a time.
"It's very exciting. It's also overwhelming," Finzen said of the approaching move.
The ultimate goal will be to have a grand opening for the new library on Dec. 19, Finzen said. For now, people who are interested in volunteering to help with the move are encouraged to contact Finzen at the Tyler library.