Putnam County Library nearing completion of a $2 million renovation, expanding the children’s department, adding new community spaces and helping with mobility issues.
Putnam County Library Director Kathryn Wisinger said construction that began some six months ago is entering the final phase.
“More people will have access to the library, just period, end of statement, that’s a huge win for us,” Wisinger said, “Then we’ll also have space for people in the maker space we hope to have sewing machines, we’re going to have we’ve got lots of cool printers you know of course a 3D printer but a UV printer.”
Wisinger said in addition to craft spaces, patrons will have opportunities to utilize telehealth spaces to connect with health care providers. Wisinger said the existing elevator is small and has primarily been used to move books. The renovation moves its replacement near existing handicap accessible parking.
“The elevator will be right by our back door,” Wisinger said, “And it’s big, it’s spacious, so if you have a stroller or in a wheelchair or a walker, any kind of needs, it is accommodating, it’s right by the door and it’s going to take you right up into our main library space.”
The project also expands the children’s department, located in a basement portion of the library dating to the early 1970s. The additional space will provide more room for shelving and story time programs.
“Getting the windows is going to make it just fabulous, it’s going to be fabulous,” Wisinger said. “We just really wanted to create a bright open space and it’s hard to do when it’s the basement.”
Crews are now working on flooring and the elevator installation. The library has remained open during construction, with Wisinger expecting the renovated spaces to become fully usable within the next couple of months.
Wisinger said library officials will develop policies for the new spaces and purchase furniture as construction wraps up.
The project is funded through a Tennessee Community Connected Facilities Grant with Putnam County providing a 10 percent match.