HARRISVILLE - The Alcona County Library Board of Trustees is moving ahead with its plans to remodel the library's Harrisville branch based on recommendations made by a professional design firm last month.
In a regular meeting on Wednesday, the board gave Director Carol Luck the go-ahead to start planning "phase one" of the improvements, which will unfold in stages over the next three or four years and could cost as much as $100,000 altogether.
Board Chair Judy Sheldon said the board would not have cost estimates on phase one until it receives bids for all the components expected to cost over $5,000, though the improvements will be paid for with a combination of fund equity and grant money.
Renovations tentatively scheduled for 2013 include installing a new handicap-accessible entryway door, fixing and repurposing library furniture, relocating the computers, reordering the north side of the building, creating a study room or "teen room," installing vinyl carpeting in the meeting room, creating a Michigan research room, and making other related lighting and carpeting improvements.
"The door is a bid, the study room is a bid, and the wiring for the computers," Sheldon said. "Then we put together a price list for the necessary carpet and lighting for the two rooms."
Phases two and three will involve a comprehensive replacement of lighting, paint, and carpeting, and the installation of new furniture and a children's area, respectively, but will not begin until the board can secure funding for them. Trustee Will St. John said replacing the fluorescent lights with more efficient LED lights will cost about $38,000, but lighting the main room alone would save about $2 a day in wattage and maintenance.
In other business:
Andrew Westrope can be reached via e-mail at awestrope@thealpenanews.com or by phone at 358-5693.