The Seattle Public Library's Magnolia branch, 2801 34th Ave. W., will close at 6 p.m. Saturday, March 24, for renovation and expansion.
During the closure, the library will add staff to nearby branches to help meet the need for library service. Librarians also will continue community outreach to children and young adults and will make school visits in the branch's service area.
The closest branches to the Magnolia branch are: the Ballard branch, 5614 22nd Ave. N.W.; the Fremont branch, 731 N. 35th St.; and the Central Library, 1000 Fourth Ave.
Users may choose any other library location as a pick-up location for items placed on hold, interlibrary loan requests or purchase suggestions. Patrons may return library materials to any branch. If Magnolia branch patrons don't select an alternate branch, their holds will be sent to the Ballard branch.
Saturday, March 24, is the last day to pick up an item on hold or check out or return materials at the Magnolia branch. The book drop, however, will stay open until 5 p.m. Friday, April 6.
This is the second time a closure date has been set for the branch. The first closure date in February was set aside after construction bids came in higher than expected.
The Seattle Public Library board of trustees directed library staff to move toward awarding the construction contract to the low bidder, Graham Contracting Ltd., with the understanding the contractor would work with its subcontractors and the architects to lower costs.
The estimated construction cost for the project is $1.78 million and the overall project budget is $2.8 million. The library board anticipates it will need to amend the budget to cover additional costs.
After the branch closes, staff will prepare the books and other materials to be moved out of the building. The collections and furniture will be stored while construction is under way.
Construction work will begin after the building has been emptied. The larger, renovated branch is projected to reopen in late 2007 or early 2008 after the furniture, equipment, books and materials are moved back into the building.
For more information, visit the library's Web site at www.spl.org.[[In-content Ad]]
