The Newport Public Library invites the community to celebrate the completion of their renovation this Sunday June 12th from 2p.m. to 4p.m. Over the past two years, the Library has been busily upgrading and fine-tuning services and facilities in order to better serve the public. With the support of the Library Foundation, the City of Newport, grants from the Meyer Memorial Trust and the Ford Family Foundation, and the contributions, and patience of library patrons, they have now completed updates all over the library.
The renovation project was spread over two phases: the first phase involved painting the entire library, moving staff from offices and building new meeting space for patrons, rearranging the shelving around the entire library, installing new carpet throughout the library, installing moveable shelving in the children’s area, creating a family space for juveniles and their parents, relocating the public internet computers, buying 20 new public computers. We refinished all of our wood furniture, reupholstered our stuffed furniture and bought new furniture for the teen and juvenile areas.
This project ran about $512,000. Grants paid for $174,000. The Newport Library Foundation paid for 246,000 and the City kicked in about $94,000. Phase Two, included the teen room and staff work area construction. This created a new teen space out of offices vacated by the Library Director and two Youth Services Librarians. A new, smaller office for the Director was built in the staff work area and staff were consolidated into one space. This project ran just over $100,000.
The Newport Library Foundation paid for 2/3 of this project and the City paid 1/3. Ted Smith Library director said the Library has offerings of books, movies, downloadables, and more for all ages, and likewise, the Renovation Celebration will include something for all. There will be cupcakes, fruit, lemonade and coffee available plus tours of the whole library and games in the Teen Room. The celebration will also include a few words from some of the folks who worked to make this happen and performances by local teens and more.
