‘Celebration’ event to unveil major changes at library on September 19

By DEB WUETHRICH

Tecumseh District Library (TDL) will host a “Renovation Celebration” on Sunday, Sept. 19, with a ribbon cutting at 12:45 p.m., and an open house to be held from 1-3 p.m. The event is being sponsored by First Federal Bank. There will be informal tours, refreshments, and some drawings.

“We will be encouraging people to wander around the main floor to see what’s been done, and our staff members will each be in their departments to greet people and answer questions,” said TDL Director, Gayle Hazelbaker. “It’s very exciting.” She said the $800,000 project started on January 24, and everyone is happy that the work has now been done.

“We’re ready to showcase it to the community now so they can enjoy it,” Hazelbaker said. “The changes were made based on community surveys and community involvement and from our strategic plan, so we’re hoping as people come see their library, they will be happy with the changes made and know that we have been responsive to what they indicated they wanted.”

Work included adding energy efficient lighting, new carpeting, reupholstered furniture, new lighting in the Herrick garden area, and a new fireplace. The library was updated in response to today’s culture of increased computer usage with a total of 18 new computers being purchased, along with added plugs and WiFi.

“We are grateful to the Friends of the Library, because they added a $10,000 gift which allowed us to add 10 more public access computers,” said Hazelbaker. Four of the computers are in the teen area.

Hazelbaker said she is especially pleased with the way the fireplace turned out, as well as the addition of a new history room which people enter through a pair of columns that reflect the community’s heritage.

The library has also added three small quiet study rooms which can be booked like the large meeting rooms for groups that need a place to meet.

Hazelbaker considers the project and its timing as a “good buy” because the library was able to take advantage of the economic downturn.

“People were looking for work and some prices were lower for labor and materials than they might have been,” she said. “We felt it was a good financial move to do the renovation at this time.”

Some of the funds came from capital improvement monies that had been saved and set aside over the past six years, and part came from interest off Herrick library endowment funds. Contractors included Kriegoff Lenawee, and Library Design. David Siler was the architect.
“No money from the current levy was used, because that’s for operating,” said Hazelbaker. “We’re very proud of that. It’s quite amazing what’s been done here.”