We are glad to announce that the renovation project is complete. We will be having a Holiday Open House to show off our great new look. Until then we are posting this power point presentation of our project. renovationppt081

Carnegie Christmas Open House
Friday, December 5, 2008
5:30 – 8:00 pm

The Staff and the Board of Trustees of the Carnegie Public Library cordially invites you to attend the Holiday Open House at the Carnegie Public Library honoring the retirement of Library Director, Susan McDaniel.

}Most of the construction for the 2nd floor of the library has been completed. We have all of our collections on the shelves and are ready for use! We’ve also added several new computers for the public to use. Of special interest is the New Teen Zone, which has 2 computers dedicated for our Teen computer users! Please check out the new photos on our construction photos page and visit us to see how great everything upstairs looks!

Welcome to the Library!

Construction downstairs is in full swing! Our Children’s Department still available downstairs. Entrance to the children’s department is through the East St. doors only.  Please note the change in our Summer Hours–This to ensure patron safety during the downstairs construction.

NEW HOURS AT CARNEGIE LIBRARY

**June 30 – Aug 30**

Due to construction our hours have changed. We sincerely apologize for any inconvenience.

MONDAY – FRIDAY   9am – 5pm

SATURDAY   9am – Noon

The restoration of our stained glass dome has been completed and it has been installed! Below is the description of the panels being installed and the work completed to see all of the restored dome photo visit the construction photos page.

2444- panel in place with bars attached

2448- wires are tied to the bar and then tightened to a support bar above. This it not necessary, but added as an extra support since the bars were being installed for the protective plastic to lay on

3482- almost all the panels are in, seen in natural light

3514- most panels in with artificial light

3545,3548- all panels in with natural light

3540- protective plastic is installed. Openings are left to allow for ventilation, an important factor for stained glass to prevent deterioration- especially since the area is to be artificially lit which causes heat to build up.

Work has continued on our upstairs. The dome has been restored and is in the process of being re-installed. There have been some delays in getting some of the materials for the project. Re-opening the upstairs for public use has been pushed back to mid or late June. An exactly date for re-opening the upstairs will be posted later. In the meantime, be sure to visit our construction photos page for new pictures of the re-installed dome!

The Carnegie Public Library is undergoing a major renovation. The work will be done in three phases. Phase I includes the second floor and will last from April 1 – June 1. During this time the second floor is closed to the public and books, magazines, movies, and computers have been moved to the first floor. The Genealogy Department will be closed during Phase I for two months.

The second floor is scheduled to re-open June 2 and work will begin on the south parking lot lobby and children’s area. Phase II will last from June 2 – July 31. During this time the parking lot entrance will be closed and elevator access restricted. The children’s department can be accessed through the East Street doors; the second floor can be accessed only by the North Street entrance. Access to public restrooms may be limited during this time.

All library services and collections will be available to the public during Phase II (June 2-July 31).

The final phase will begin August 1 and includes renovation of the meeting room. This phase will only take four weeks.

The Library may be closed one or two days this summer while the book collections are moved around. Please check the website at cplwcho.org for updates or call before you come.

The Library Board would like to thank our community for their patience and understanding during this time. The results will be well worth the wait.

Highlights of the renovation include:

* Repairing and painting the plaster walls

* Adding more public computers for adults and children

* Remodeling the children’s activity and story hour room

* Upgrading the lighting and computer wiring

* Creating inviting reading and display areas

* Installing a working fireplace

* Refurbishing the mosaic tile and leaded art glass dome

* Providing more space to process library materials requested by the public

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A treasure that has been hidden for more than seventy years will soon be revealed at the Carnegie Public Library.

The domed ceiling on the second floor contains twelve leaded art glass panels, originally crafted and installed in 1903. The jewel-colored glass has been covered by layers of paint on one side and grime and dust on the other but will be restored to its full beauty by Whitney Stained Glass Studio of Cleveland, Ohio.

The panels are composed of repeating geometric patterns in a scalloped design. The restoration will consist of a special soaking bath to loosen the paint and remove the dirt. The panels will then be carefully disassembled, thoroughly cleaned and reassembled with new lead and replaced in the domed ceiling.

The process is expected to take four weeks. Hints of the colors in the panels can be seen through the dirt. Royal blue, emerald green and hues of rich amber will emerge as the cleaning takes place..

According to Library Director Susan McDaniel, library records indicate that the art glass may have first been painted over in the 1930s when the Civilian Conservation Corp repainted the library due to the collection of dirt and dust that blocked the light and rendered the once lovely glass, an unattractive eyesore.

For the first time in many years the public will be able to view the intricate craftsmanship of the art glass panels which are illuminated by a skylight in the roof. The second floor is scheduled to reopen the first week of June 2008.

Mark your calendars! Starting Monday, March 31st the Carnegie Public Library will officially begin it’s remodeling project.

Important announcements:

Beginning Monday, March 31st the Adult Services Department will be relocated to the First/Ground Floor  of the library. Public computers, books, movies, and other services will be available. We will also continue to receive items from the other libraries within our borrowing group. We encourage our patrons to take advantage of this service by placing holds on any items they would like to borrow. Holds can be placed by our staff or from our online catalog.

Our Genealogy Department will be closed during the top floor remodeling efforts. We encourage genealogists to use our online resources during this project.

Be assured that we will maintain our regular hours during our renovation.  Please continue to visit us on the First/Ground Floor for all of your information and reading needs.

You will want to visit the library often as we undergo metamorphosis.