DeWitt library renovation begins next week

DEWITT – Jennifer Balcom remains hopeful the DeWitt District Library will eventually move to a new building. But, for now, the library’s executive director, is leading a $300,000 renovation project.

“The intention is, if we ever move out of this space, that we don’t spend unwisely,” she said.

Balcom said the physical changes to the building aren't extensive.

“We’re trying to spend as little money as possible on the building and more on things we can take with us if we ever were to go to a new space,” she said.

Although some preparatory work has been done, the bulk of the project will begin next week at the library and is expected to continue for 10 to 12 weeks.

There will be new shelving and study rooms. Smaller tables will replace larger ones. Balcom said patrons also will have more seating near places to keep cell phones and other electronic devices charged. Part of the project money will be spent to swap out existing desktop computers for more portable laptops and tablets for use in the library.

One of the biggest complaints from patrons, notes library board member Lysne Tait, is that the current building is too small. She’s hoping the renovation will change that, at least for now.

“This will not fix everything, but it’s a good stopgap,” said Tait.

“We will have to look at another building eventually. This community is growing so quickly, people won’t be happy forever with the current building.”

The library has neither the property nor the money to expand, Balcom added.

“We might be able to get a variance and add 4,000 square feet, but the cost for that would be several million, and we figured it doesn’t make sense to do that with lack of parking."

Most of the construction will be on the back side of the building, with a wall dividing usable space and construction zone. There will be no running water in the library during construction, Balcom said, but there will be portable toilets and a water cooler outside. 

Contact Dawn Parker at (517) 377-1056 ordlparker@lsj.com. Follow her on Twitter at @arwen22266.