Library to be closed for nine days

The Elsie S. Hogan Library will be temporarily closed at the end of this month during part of its long-awaited renovation.

The library is scheduled for closure from Monday, Feb. 27 through Wednesday, March 7; re-opening on Thursday, March 8, said Library Director Tom Miner.

The renovation project continues to move forward after recent City Council approval of new flooring.

The council voted unanimously Jan. 17 to award a $7,905.97 contract to Safford Floor Covering for installation of carpet and tile.

This vote also authorized rental of bookshelf moving equipment with which the Safford company would then move book shelves for an additional $1,000.

Miner had found a company that has equipment "specifically designed to move library bookshelves with the books on the shelves," said Dave Bonner, director of the city's Department of Public Services and Works.

The $3,200 cost to rent the equipment included shipping, he said in his Jan. 17 letter to council.

"This would allow the carpet to be installed completely and the shelves would be moved back and placed in the correct location," said Bonner.

The library would need to be closed up to four days while the carpet and tile are being installed "to allow the installer to efficiently complete the job," he said.

Unfortunately, Miner learned Feb. 8 that the Chicago- based company from which he planned to rent the equipment had raised shipping costs to the point the city could no longer afford it.

Instead, moving of the stacks will be completed by prison labor, under the supervision of the librarians, Miner told the Range News.

The city's Department of Public Services and Works solicited bids from several companies.

"Three companies responded with quotes to provide carpet which is the same brand, color, and pattern as the carpet installed during the initial phase of the library renovation," said Bonner.

Tile will be installed from the front entrance to the front desk, which is "the highest traffic area which receives the most wear," he said.

"Placing tile in this area will prevent unnecessary wear on a carpeted surface," Bonner said.

In addition to Safford Floor Coverings, the companies that provided quotes were fellow Safford-based company "Carpet, Tile & More," with a quote of $12,540.15; and "Farnsworth Tile & Carpet" of Benson, who quoted $13,533.75.

None of the prices included moving furniture and bookshelves, Bonner said.

Funded by a USDA Rural Development Grant, the total cost of the project is $12,105.97.

Bonner said the budget for the carpet was $9,000, with the additional $3,105.97 coming from the project's $10,000 contingency line.

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Library to be closed for nine days