The Huntley Area Public Library (HAPL) announced that from Dec. 31 until Jan. 24 they will be closed to prepare for the final stages of their two-year building program.
“Parts of the collection are being relocated, new equipment is getting set up, staff are moving into their new spaces, and the countdown is on to explore your FRESH, new library,” said the HAPL.
From December 31 to January 24, the Huntley Area Public Library will close to finish renovations. (Photo provided)
As previously reported in My Huntley News, this upcoming closure will be to accommodate phase two of HAPL’s construction plan which involves renovating the old library building.
The new portion of the HAPL that has been open to the public since April 26, added 17,000 square feet to the already existing 15,000 square feet.
“The community has already been utilizing one-half of the new building, but it was not fully functional. Some rooms were being used for storage and office space, while others housed parts of the collection that will find a new home in the renovated building,” said the HAPL in a statement.
While the library is closed, no fines will accumulate on any late materials as well as no materials will be due for return. Similarly, to the library’s last closing, regular library services will not be available. However, most of the library’s digital and online services will still be available to residents.
The last day to pick up holds at the HAPL will be Thursday, Dec. 30. Holds placed for pickup at Huntley after Dec. 15 may not become available until after the library reopens, according to the HAPL.
HAPL advises that residents can place holds for pickup at other libraries during their closure.
The HAPL is set to fully open to the public beginning Jan. 24, with the main entrance that has been closed since April, becoming fully accessible.
“You [may] enter the library’s parking lot via Main Street or Ruth Road and enter the library using the new main entrance. Once you enter the building, you can explore the newly renovated area by walking through both sets of doors to the north,” said the HAPL. “If you would like to head straight to our Children’s Library or Program Rooms, enter the first set of doors and take a right.”
Doug Cataldo, HAPL’s head of marketing, told My Huntley News that the renovated old library building will house a computer lab as well as a production studio with top-notch equipment including green screens, high-quality cameras, and editing software. A music studio with a full mixing board will also be available for the public to utilize on Jan. 24.
Cataldo stated that upon its Jan. 24 grand opening, the old building will additionally feature a creative studio with 3D printers, sewing machines and die cutters.
A teen area will be another new addition in the HAPL’s renovated old building, where visitors will be able to borrow video games for various consoles or be able to play them at the library if they wish.
While the library is closed, residents are encouraged to visit their website at huntleylibrary.org to explore 24/7 online services, digital library programs, online reading programs and more.
