Princeton Public Library Renovation Project to Begin in April

library mock up
A conceptual drawing of the new technology area to be built on the second floor of the Princeton Public Library.

 

A $3 million renovation of the second floor of the Princeton Public Library is slated to begin in April and take about six to eight months to complete.

Princeton Public Library Executive Director Leslie Burger reviewed plans for the project at the Princeton Council meeting Monday night.

Private donations are funding 94 percent of the project, and six percent of the funding is from public funds already earmarked for capital projects at the library, Burger said, adding that the capital funds would have been spent on the second floor anyway.

The $3 million for the project will cover the fees for architects and other consultants, construction fees, furniture, and other equipment.

Architect Andrew Berman said one of the goals of the second floor renovation is to create more spaces for people to enjoy the library.

“We want people in our community to use the library better and in a more personal matter,” he said.

Bookshelves will be rearranged so that the shelves are not taking up the bulk of the floor space. Community spaces will be created in the center of the room where people can work individually or in groups.

The second floor will include a “quiet reading room” where people who don’t want to hear patrons talking on their cell phones or using other technology can work peacefully. The second floor will also include eight co-working rooms for small meetings and tutoring sessions. There will also be a large technology area on the second floor. The large gathering spaces will not be walled off. “It’s not the library of the past,” Berman said.

Burger said the library will be open during construction. Occasional closures will be required for the public’s safety. The library’s entire collection will be accessible during the project, she said. Construction workers will park off site and will not be allowed to park in the Spring Street Garage.

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Krystal Knapp is the founding editor of Planet Princeton. Follow her on Twitter @krystalknapp. She can be reached via email at editor AT planetprinceton.com. Send all letters to the editor and press releases to that email address.