Library finishes repurpose project

A gala opening with new carpet, a fresh coat of paint and new shelving celebrates the completion of a repurpose project at the Churchill County Library.

A dedication with government officials begins Saturday at 10 a.m. at the library’s longtime location, home to rows shelves of books, videos and audiotapes since 1967. The dedication is open to the public.

“This project was designed to repurpose the existing building to enhance and improve function and efficiency in both the public and staff areas of the library,” said Carol Lloyd, who has been library director for almost three years.

After the ceremony, Lloyd said guests will be able to tour the library. Normal hours resume on Monday.

“We have taken a building built in 1967 and updated it to how we do business in 2015,” she said. “The county has taken incredible care of this building. Now that the project is done, we’re looking at how we cam improve services to the our community,”

Lloyd said the repurpose project, which began in November, cost $450,000 and was funded by the county, community organizations, benefits and fundraisers. She said the community had a big part in raising money for the project during the past 10 to 11 years.

Library staff is in the middle of relocating books and reference materials from the annex building a block away on Maine Street. Prior to relocating the library to a smaller location, Lloyd said her staff streamlined the process and placed many books and other items in storage.

When residents visit the library after it opens, Lloyd said patrons will notice more open spaces. Some areas haven’t changed much such as the Nevada Room or the children’s section. While many of the older, out-of-date books have been removed because of obsolete information found within the covers, Lloyd said people who need a book may rely on their CLAN system, which includes a consortium of libraries in Northern Nevada that share their resources.

She said permanent books will be shelved inside the library’s perimeter, and the open floor allows more room to accommodate children for the summer reading program. Magazines and newspapers are being relocated to the front.

Although the repurpose project has excited Lloyd, she is equally pleased with the community’s support for learning and literacy.

“How wonderful is that?” she asked, with a grin and her eyes widening. “This is a community that values libraries.”

According to Lloyd, the county’s first library opened in the Old Post Office in 1905 and moved to other locations until it relocated to a new building at the corner of Maine and Virginia streets 48 years ago.

Bison Construction of Carson City was awarded the contract for the repurposing work, while a Reno architect firm, Collaborative Design Studio, designed the project.