By Jonathan Devoy
Last week, the Lewiston Public Library had to turn people away as staff updated the building to increase efficiency, cut costs and provide a more comfortable experience for visitors. The library has re-opened its doors and staff are welcoming back the public to make use of the now greener facility.
The library made use of the Community Capital Assistance Program which gave the facility $150,000 to use in energy efficient capital improvements, furniture, and equipment. Some of the changes visitors will notice are new rugs, window energy films, automatic toilets and handwashers in the bathrooms, landscaping computers, tables and chairs.
“We’re also looking at the process of getting new outdoor handicapped-accessible doors,” explained Ronald Shaw, the executive director of the library.
Shaw said several companies were contracted to renovate the library. Nico Floor Covering handled the installment of the rugs, H. W. Bryk & Sons worked on the plumbing, O’Connell Electric Co. worked on the electrical systems, a state contract paid for the new computers, Millington Lockwood brought in the new furniture, and Gaylord provided the new CD holders.
The library is also looking forward to more improvements as the countertops and doors will be replaced as well, Shaw said.
The need for the renovation came about from an inside inspection of the library. It identified ways to lower efficiency costs such as doors, windows, and turn-over on consumables such as paper towels, said Shaw.
“I think we’ll have more people,” Shaw said of the results of the renovation.
With more computers, Shaw said, adding Internet usage should increase and redone magazine areas promote staying in the building longer.
