The DeKalb Public Library will be closing its doors from August 20th through September 9th; remodeling of the old Haish Memorial Library will be finished by then, and staff will be joined by volunteers in moving materials from the new wing of the library, back into the old one.
Once this second move is complete, the $25.3 million construction project, with restoration of the former library building will more than triple the DeKalb Public Library’s size from 19,500 square feet to 65,000 square feet.
The library will then hold what it’s calling a ‘Grander Opening’ on Saturday, September 10th. Ceremonies will include a ribbon-cutting, and the dedication of a time capsule. The restored Haish wing will include a new Teen Room, a computer lab and a collaboration studio. The library is located at 309 Oak Street in DeKalb.
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6 Comments
Interesting how a LEEDS certified project isn’t ADA accessible. This project was pushed way too fast. It was all about getting it started while monies were available. The fear with local government seems to be if they don’t get started fast they may lose the money. In the end, this is what you usually get.
I just don’t understand why people with disabilities of ALL kinds, not just the mobility challenged, are not asked for input for something as vast and expensive as this project was. Not only were my tax dollars wasted on this empty behemoth, but now the library is AGAIN sending me requests for continued donations to fund something that isn’t functional for me. It adds insult to injury, in my opinion.
Priscilla, it was never about you or the other average, hard working citizens of DeKalb. It has always been about a small group of elitests who wanted something to showcase and use for their purposes. I’m sure that big empty area will be used for many future socials and get togethers for those elite few. They now have a modern air conditioned place they can use now instead of the Egyptian Theater they once used.
Thank you Mr. Krpan, that is exactly the “vibe” that I got when I entered the building. I thought “This would be great for a cocktail party with hordes of party-goers, but isn’t this a library? Where are the books?” Even now, they’re closing the facility that I helped pay for, for a 2nd time, to again move the books. My question is, to where?
They do act an awful like chickens with their heads cut off don’t they?
That library should have some modern high tech conveniences in the newer design for the future but then again, if the library board and its director were concerned and focused on the future, they wouldn’t have needed all of this space and over $26 million.
Just wait until you see the final total spent if they don’t resort to creative accounting. Also, what is the interest going to be on the multiple bonds taken out for this project?
You or I could never get more than one loan to buy a home. How did they get three?
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And yet you can’t get a clear phone signal in the place to be able to use the computers. I have visited the new library twice, and as a mobility challenged person, I wonder who had the bright idea to put the handicapped parking all the way down the block from an entrance that many days is blocked off due to contractors trying to finish outside jobs closer to the old library? I had to try to scale the steep incline of grass on a 1 foot wide piece of concrete leading to the street. Really? And after that, when I eventually managed to make my entrance to the building, I enter a huge, wasted space vestibule where no books reside. People! Get a clue! And they’re still sending me invitations to donate more money, when I’m driving all the way over to the Sycamore library where they obviously put more thought into handicapped access. VERY disappointed.