What began as a
planned remodel of the Library Service Center main restrooms now will be a
complete renovation.
The Westchester
Public Library Board agreed Thursday to have architect Scott Virtue prepare
plans and specifications for the work. A goal is to make the restrooms,
built in 1977, compliant with current law regarding handicapped
accessibility.
The board
reviewed a preliminary plan submitted by Virtue that would reconfigure the
men’s restroom to accomodate wheelchairs; the women’s restroom is adequate
in size to make the needed improvements including wider doors.
WPL director
Phil Baugher said upgraded fixtures to conserve water are planned. No cost
for the project has been determined but it’s hoped to receive proposals and
award the work in May.
The restrooms
serve the LSC public meeting rooms on the main floor. Restrooms on the LSC
lower level used by WPL employees eventually would have to be redone because
there isn’t an elevator to reach the renovated restrooms above.
The fact there
is an elevator at the nearby Thomas Library could save WPL money when the
circa-1975 restrooms there are renovated in the future. Baugher said the
small ground-floor restrooms, which are not handicapped accessible, possibly
could be expanded by taking space from a rear hallway to the north.
No such
expansion area exists for the second-floor Thomas restrooms, however, having
one compliant restroom in the building served by an elevator should be
acceptable, said Baugher.
In other
business, on a 6-1 vote with Library Board member Drew Rhed dissenting Shaw
Painting was chosen to paint the Thomas exterior aluminum canopy and trim
for $12,685. Shamrock Painting also submitted a quote for $5,400. While both
would wash and paint the surfaces, Shaw also would apply two coats and
recaulk windows if needed.
Rhed later said
his concern was that the proposals weren’t comparable.
The board
unanimously accepted the proposal of B&G Sealcoating at $7,878.50 to patch,
reseal and stripe all WPL parking lots. Miller Third-Generation Sealcoating
would do the work for $11,500. Board member Vern Odom suggested possibly
reconfiguring the Thomas lot west of the building when the striping is done.
It was announced
tickets still are available for the May 1 Westchester Township History
Museum fundraiser; WPL operates the museum at the Brown Mansion.
Performances are planned at 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. Actors will portray Brown
family members and others to tell about community life here in 1889. Tickets
are $15 each and must be purchased at the museum before May 1. Refreshments
are included.
Saturday and
Sunday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. the Friends of the Library public book sale
takes place at Thomas Library. Thousands of books are offered. Money raised
is donated to the WPL.
Baugher
circulated a copy of WPL’s new electronic newsletter, The Weekly Word. It is
being sent as a link to patrons with emails on file who wish to see the
document. Those who do not may unsubscribe. The newsletter also lists
upcoming programs and other WPL sites and information.
In March, WPL
saw a slight increase in circulation, a surprise, said Baugher, because
Calumet Road is torn up in downtown Chesterton near Thomas. Year-to-date
circulation is down 2 percent, but proving popular is the Overdrive service
that permits patrons to download audio/e-books. So far 794 such items have
been downloaded this year.
For those who
like to read the old-fashioned way, Baugher noted Thomas and Hageman
libraries maintain subscriptions to 263 magazines for children, young adults
and adults. Issues previous to the current magazine may be checked out.
The magazines
cover animals/pets, arts/music, beauty/fashion, business/finance, computers,
cooking/cuisine, entertainment, garden/farming, general interest,
health/fitness, history/science, hobbies/crafts, home/family, how-to,
news/commentary, regional, sports/outdoors, travel/adventure and
automotive/aviation.
The board voted
to hire Rose Halpin as a technical services clerk. Baugher said there were
43 applications for the position.
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