HARRISVILLE — The Alcona County Library’s Lincoln branch will be the first in the district to get new LED lighting in an ongoing project.

On Wednesday Library Director Denise Bearre told the Alcona County Library Board she created a request for proposals for the installation of LED lighting in the branch and said if all goes according to plan the installation would take place over the summer months.

As part of yearly projects with the library’s branches, it was proposed that the Harrisville branch as well as the Lincoln branch, which is smaller, should have the installation.

This is to correct an ongoing problem with the existing florescent lighting, according to board Chairman Thomas Ronayne. He said the lighting is not adequate for the library. The light is reflected from fixtures off the ceiling making it hard to read the book titles on the bottom of shelves and is costly and hard to maintain.

Bearre said the new lighting, which will shine directly down from the ceiling as opposed to being bounced off the ceiling, will help save costs.

“I figure in the fall we will work on (bids for Harrisville),” she said. “I think this could be pretty scary but maybe this will get our feet wet.”

Bearre said she hoped to get area electrical contractors, perhaps from Alcona, Alpena and Iosco counties, to submit proposals for the work. She said it would be better to conduct the Lincoln project over the summer because the Harrisville branch is very busy during the summer with programs and other activities.

“I want to get (the RFP) out for May 1 and hopefully get it back by May 19, and I’ll have a full report for you next month or whenever we get it back,” she said.

Bearre said there also was an issue with actually seeing the lighting they were interested in installing as it has not been installed in a business or other location within 100 miles of Harrisville.

Bearre recommended the board choose direct LED lighting as well as three LED barrel lights to be installed over the circulation desk at Lincoln.

Bearre said she believed the different lighting in the library will improve the building for patrons, as well as cut back on electricity bills. She also said with the upgrades the library could be in for some rebate opportunities from Consumers Energy.

Ronayne said cost-savings also could be achieved because the lights do not need to be maintained like florescent lighting.

The board did not need to vote to approve the RFP and by consensus gave Bearre the go ahead to issue it.

Jason Ogden can be reached via email at jogden@thealpenanews.com or by phone at 358-5693. Follow Jason on Twitter @jo_alpenanews.