Health News For South West
Tuesday, May 17, 2016
London Public Library, Central Branch
Central Library to Open Pop-Up Branch as Renovations Kick Into High Gear
Renovations at the Central Branch of the London Public Library began earlier this month, but are about to ramp up.
During the weeks of May 24th to June 3rd, and again from June 13th to 24th, the Central Library on Dundas near Wellington will be closed for heavy construction.
"The closure is required to physically remove the escalators and to bring in and install the structural steel required to build the stairs," Julie Gonyou, manager of the project and the library's Senior Director of Administration and Special Projects said.
The escalators were a package deal for the library as they took over the former Hudson's Bay department store in 2002.
"They are about 27 years old. They have reached the end of their useful lives," Gonyou said. "We were faced with the decision whether to keep up with constant repairs and replacement parts for them or to move forward with stairs. Our business case proved that stairs were worthwhile."
The London Public Library will instead open a nearby Pop Up Central branch across from the Bulk Barrel in the City Plaza to service customers during those weeks, as well Central items will not be due during those weeks.
The Pop Up branch will offer most of the same services, with a selection of items available to borrow, a spot to return materials and pay fines and fees, and a limited number of computer stations and a printer.
The first phase of the 11 month long renovation will see the creation of a light-filled magazine and newspaper lounge, a ‘flexi’ space where the coffee shop area used to be, and the installation of stairs in place of escalators.
Evening programming at the Wolf Performance Hall and Stevenson & Hunt will take place as scheduled.
More information about the renovations can be found on the library’s website.
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