Poway Library renovations finally begin

The long-awaited remodel of the Poway Library is finally underway, after months of delays due to delayed approval from the city and county.

“It’s a little disappointing it’s taken so long to get rolling,” said Head Librarian Penny Taylor. “But I’m really proud that all involved entities have agreed on all the elements. It took longer than expected, but all those hurdles have been cleared now.”

The plan to finance the remodel, which will cost about $1.5 million, was approved in November 2013 by the Poway City Council. The city’s library endowment fund will contribute $652,000 toward the remodel, with the city and San Diego County each contributing $375,000. The final $125,000 will be paid for by a donation from the Friends of the Poway Library.

Originally, the remodel was expected to be finished by summer 2014, and then, after delays, by the end of 2014 or early 2015. Now, Taylor said the plan is to begin the remodel of the interior of the library in the new year.

The remodel will include new furniture, computers and carpeting; creation of a separate area for teens; the addition of four study rooms; removal of the main reception desk and a canopy over the outdoor patio area. The library also plans to install shorter shelves for the books, both for patron convenience and to improve line-of-sight for employees.

The outdoor patio area remodel has been in the works for several months and is almost finished, said Taylor. Concrete has been poured and the canopy will be installed in the next week or so, depending on weather. The new outdoor canopy will allow the library better use of its outdoor space, especially during hot weather, said Taylor.

When the outdoor remodel is finished, new carpeting will be installed in the community room, and then the work will move inside of the main library building, beginning with the remodel of the public bathrooms.

The library has already received several new fixtures, which are currently holding CDs and DVDs in a temporary location. “We’ll integrate them into the new redesign when it moves inside,” said Taylor.

New book drops have also been installed outside, and staff are enjoying a new material handler, which not only allows the public to check in their own material, but also automatically sorts books, DVDs and CDs into bins for the staff. “It’s one of the jewels of our remodel,” said Taylor. “It helps tremendously. It’s fun, cool, quieter than we thought it would be and works better than we expected. It’s already beloved.”

The library’s entryway will be opened up more, with shelves featuring popular works on display for library patrons to browse.

A central information desk will also be installed in the middle of the building and new study rooms will be added. New spaces for reading, writing and using devices will also be added in the remodel.

A computer lab area will also be created for the public, along with updated computers.

In addition to new carpet and paint, new lighting will be installed and the natural light in the library will be increased by moving furniture.

The library plans to remain open during the interior remodel, though some areas might be inaccessible at times.

“The remodel is going to be beautiful,” said Taylor. “It’s going to be dramatic and user friendly. It’s good for all of us.”