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your homegrown newspaper February 21, 2024
Vol. 20, No. 23
Newly renovated library reopens to the public By Summer Goddard Valley Journal
Shiver in River pg. 5
FLIC pg. 6
Sports pg. 18
POLSON — The North Lake County Public Library reopened its doors last week following the completion of a near year-long renovation project. Library Director Abbi Dooley performed ribbon-cutting honors at 9 a.m. Feb. 14 before welcoming community members into the newly renovated building. Held on Valentine’s Day, the library’s reopening coincides with National Library Lover’s Month observed annually in February. A true community endeavor, more than 50 volunteers helped move boxes of books to the library while another 20 or so helped shelve books prior to the grand reopening. Several reading areas with couches, tables and chairs are located alongside north facing windows among new, lower height book shelves easily seen over – lending a bright, open feel to the space. Phone charging stations, electrical outlets
and computers are also available for use throughout the library. From concept to completion the renovation project took about four years and cost an estimated $2.5 million. Though the footprint wasn’t expanded, Dooley said the library was able to recapture space that had been previously uti-
SUMMER GODDARD / VALLEY JOURNAL
lized as the Sandpiper Art Gallery and foyer entrance. About 2,000 square feet of usable w w w.va l le yj our na l.net
space was gained through renovation. A majority of funding for the project was
raised by the North Lake County Library Foundation Dooley said. Money the library had put aside in a depreciation fund was also used. The last few bills for construction and furniture were paid through an INTERCAP loan the library took out to reopen. The library’s foundation will continue see page 2