By Kathy Brown.
(Feb. 19, 2021) — As many of you are aware, Brainerd Memorial Library has been under construction for months.
“As more and more members of our community took advantage of library services, we decided to add a new parking area with additional spaces, improved exterior lighting for safety, creation of a new lower plaza entry door and lobby, and upgraded public rest rooms,” said Kent Jarrell, member of the Library Board of Trustees.
“In this time of COVID, we wanted to protect library patrons and our staff, as well as keeping our staff on the payroll,” said Kent. “So, we were able to do all that and allow construction crews to work on our long-planned renovations.”
Because of COVID-19, the construction project has run into many delays. We received an update from Library Director, Tom Piezzo back in September, and thought we should provide another update, with some photos of the progress.
“We have certainly been busy here, like the proverbial swimming duck — calm above the water and strenuously paddling just below the surface!” said Tom.
The staff has been putting together “touchless pickup” orders for residents, and the History Room has been repurposed to quarantine returned materials from residents, to be in compliance with best practices in the industry.
Friends of the Library has kept their “Book Nook” going, even during COVID, by putting materials on a cart, for self service shopping. “The BML Friends have been running ‘Pop-Up’ sales since the holidays whereby we feature materials with different themes,” explained Robbie Marshall, Assistant Director, BML. “January was self-help and hobbies and February is romance. March will be biographies and history. April will be ‘The Arts.’ DVDs and regular paperbacks are 3 for $1. We also have audio books and some specialty items. We have collection jars on the cart outside and in the entry hall. When we see someone browsing, we ask what they’d like from the Nook. Then we check to see if we have some of their favorite authors or genres. They can also email or call with requests.”
Though the Friends of the Library fundraise for the library, that’s not all they do. According to Brainerd Memorial Library’s website, the “Friends” are Brainerd Memorial Library supporters “who work to enrich library services in the community through volunteering, fundraising, and serving as advocates for the Library’s mission.” If you are interested in joining the Friends of the Library, click HERE for more information.
“The Friends were happy to give away children’s book bundles in December and January,” said Robbie, “and were pleased that they all found a home.”
“We’re getting closer little by little, with the big hurdle beginning to tip in the relocation of data and electrical service to the new utility pole, now in progress,” explained Tom. “When done (in a week or so, weather permitting) the old pole can come down, and absent the snow, the crews can begin setting in place the lot paving, the sidewalks, the entrance plaza and the new exterior lights. When that is complete, we will be able to use the two lower level doors which presently open onto a pit and an active worksite — obviously making it unsafe for public occupancy.”
They are also still waiting on some building materials like doors and fixtures, and some labor like interior electrical work, and paint and ceiling work.
“Our wonderful library staff just keeps things rolling along at Brainerd, constrained but not deterred by a building which is closed to the public,” said Betty Devlin, one of the Friends of the Library. “Every day that they’re working, they are finding and bagging books and movies for outside pickup by patrons who still need fresh or favorite stories. They are also offering copying and printing services, virtual workshops, fun contests, seasonal craft kits, and – still – used books for sale! Perhaps you’ve heard, ‘Slow and steady wins the race.’ Well, then, Brainerd is winning the construction race! Bit by bit, as they are able, the construction crew is making progress despite supply shortages and other inevitable delays.”
