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Palm Harbor Library Renovation On Track

Mark Schantz/SUNCOAST

Palm Harbor librarians are working from a temporary location in a trailer set up in the parking area while the community library has been undergoing soon-to-be-completed renovations.

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By Mark  Schantz | The Suncoast News

Published: November 29, 2008

PALM HARBOR - A happy ending will soon be written to the year-long saga of the Palm Harbor Library renovation.

Reconstruction of the 26,000-square-foot facility is being completed in four phases, enabling the community library to remain open to patrons as long as possible.

The final phase of improvements to the front lobby, restrooms, check-out area and community room, however, forced the library building to close to patrons in October, Lois Eannel, assistant librarian and youth services director, said.

During the makeover, patrons are being served from a mini-library trailer in the parking area from 10 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. Librarians have been dashing back and forth from the main building to the trailer to get requested books and materials.

Eannel said many people have used the mini-library and things are working surprisingly smooth, she said. Youngsters, in particular, depend on the library for help and research with their school projects.

The library is offering telephone reference services at 727-784-3332

Library programs and groups that normally meet at the library have been gathering at off-site locations.

Everything remains on track for the library to reopen Jan. 5. There will be a grand reopening party planned from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m on Jan. 10.

At the reopening ceremony, a sculpture purchased by the Pinellas County Arts Council will be unveiled outside the library. It will remain covered until Jan. 10 to preserve the surprise, Eannel said.

"All I can say is that it is very, very unique, depicting the artist's conception of a library," Eannel said. The work is a mural and three totem pole-like sculptures that will be a show-piece, she said.

The $1 million-plus project is being funded through a $500,000 state library construction grant, matching funds from the library's Endowment Foundation, Pinellas Public Library Cooperative and library reserve funds. In addition, the library received a $247,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.

The inside of the library has been totally remodeled with new carpeting, improved lighting and a more contemporary color scheme adorning the walls.

Among the improvements to the library are: a larger children's area; redesigned reference area and desk situated closer to the entrance; and a newly installed Friends of the Palm Harbor Library Bookstore, according to Eannel.

Young people should enjoy a greatly improved teen room, which they helped design, Eannel said. The library also has new conference areas and study rooms.

The outside of the library is being landscaped. There will be a drive-through book drop-off and parking lot improvements.

Mark Schantz can be reached at 727-815-1075 or mschantz@suncoastnews.com.

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