The Southington Public Library will be closed for a couple of weeks in mid-November to allow for its move into a brand-new building nearby.
Patch Staff
|Updated Fri, Nov 1, 2024 at 10:18 am ET
SOUTHINGTON, CT — It hasn't always been easy, but Southington will soon be ready to move into its brand new, $16.9 million state-of-the-art Southington Public Library.
In recent days, the library — located at 255 Main St. — has been releasing information about the upcoming move this November into the new facility adjacent to the current one.
Among some of the dates and operations revisions associated with the move are:
• The library will be closed starting Monday, Nov. 18, reopening on Monday, Dec. 2.
"No fines will accrue during that period. Please do not use the book drops or leave donations while we are closed," wrote the library this week.
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• As for the current facility, the mezzanine and the lower level will not be accessible beginning Tuesday, Nov. 12 until the library is closed for the move.
• Items checked out after Nov. 15 through the temporary closing are due Dec. 5.
• Starting Nov. 16, late fees are waived until Dec. 5.
• Also, those with expiring library cards in November are getting a break with the respective expiration dates moved to Dec. 31.
• The big day is the grand opening/dedication of the new Southington Public Library on Saturday, Dec. 7, at 10 a.m.
This will soon end an arduous journey that had its fair share of controversy and challenges since voters approved the project at a referendum in the middle of the Covid-19 pandemic.
In November 2021, voters approved spending $16.9 million for a new 30,000-square-foot library, a project deemed necessary to meet fire and building codes, provide modern services and amenities, and comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act.
But throughout 2022, town and library officials learned cost overruns associated with supply chain and inflation issues meant the $16.9 million could only fund a 24,000-square-foot building.
After much debate about whether to seek more funding from voters for a 30,000-square-foot library, it was decided to build to the amount of cash approved at the polls.
Then, in April 2023, the PZC voted 5-2 to approve a special permit to build the structure, but doing so with a heavy dose of criticism over the building's design.
Some members — even those who voted "yes" — said plans for the building and its new sign were "ugly."
To no longer make it "ugly," the library funded revisions deemed necessary to improve the design via its own budget/fund-raising campaign.
In July 2023, work began on constructing the new library, a process culminating with the move in November of this year.
From April 4: 'New Southington Library Construction Forges Onward'
For more information on the Southington Public Library building project, click on this link.
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