The Charleston Carnegie Public Library is down to its bare walls.

The original library has been gutted-out and drywall is being placed.

“Rooms are beginning to be defined,” said Sheryl Snyder, director of the library.

When finished, the 100-year-old building will house a conference room, a genealogy room, a coffee corner and additional children’s space. Snyder said the genealogy room will be in the south addition, and the north addition will contain storage.

The north part will not change much besides some structural changes, Snyder said.

Construction to the original building is the second phase of the library’s renovation and is expected to be complete before fall.

“We are hoping the end of the summer, but no date has been given,” said Ruth Straith, director of public services for the library.

The first phase included work to the new addition, which was completed in January and is open for use.

There have been a few obstacles concerning construction, but Snyder and Straith said nothing major nor obstacles are to be expected.

“In a project this size nothing is smooth, but it gets done,” Straith said.

A part of phase two that just finished included work on two openings to the new addition, which Snyder said was completed last Friday.

Besides the interior, work can be visible outside the library as well.

Landscapers have planted trees and shrubbery around the west side entrance and gravel was placed for additional parking.

With record numbers of card members, the additional parking may be useful.

“When we first opened in January we had over 100,” Snyder said.

Snyder said the average before was about 60 new card members a month. She also said when school lets out for the summer they get more traffic in the library.

When complete, the library will cover about 28,000 square feet, with two floors and additional study rooms and meeting rooms. The additional space allows the library to have more room for its visitors.

Jonica McBride, an Eastern math professor, said the new addition has more space for students looking for another place to study.

“It’s another comfortable atmosphere for students,” she said. “Eastern’s library is not always conducive to studying depending on the night.”

The space also allows the library more room for programming and activities.

“Most programming before was done outside the library,” Snyder said. “Now we have the big meeting rooms so we can do a lot of programming and activities.”

Monday marks the beginning of the library’s summer reading program for ages 3 through high school.

Snyder said the room for programs held about 65 people, whereas the room can now hold around 100.

McBride, who visits the library often with her daughter, said she has enjoyed the new addition and everything is easy to find.

“It’s quick and efficient just like before,” she said.

Kristina Peters can be reached at 581-7942 or at kmpeters2@eiu.edu.

An employee of the Charleston Public Library shelves checked-in books in the adult section of the new addition to the library Wednesday afternoon. (Robbie Wroblewski/The Daily Eastern News)

(more…)