Now that all of the funding is in place for renovation of the main branch of the Hall County Library System (HCLS), library officials are looking for a temporary place to move while the work is underway.
HCLS Executive Director Lisa MacKinney briefed library board members on the renovation timeline at a meeting Tuesday, June 19, just after they posed with a replica of a $2 million check. That $2 million is the state's contribution to the major overhaul of the main branch in downtown Gainesville. Total renovation cost is projected at $4 million.
MacKinney said she's unsure where the temporary set-up for the library will be during renovation, but she knows what they're looking for.
"I think we need at least 20,000 square feet to accommodate some very small programming and just enough shelves to keep people happy," MacKinney said. "It'll be a lot safer and the project will move along a lot quicker if we don't have the public in the building while it's [renovation] happening."
MacKinney said once they find a temporary home, she expects the library will be there for about a year.
"Of course, lots of things will vary - weather, contract work - but I would say a year would be the shortest, 18 months the longest," MacKinney said.
MacKinney said she hopes to be able to have a specific location pinned down in the next six weeks, so she can share that news with the board at its next meeting in August.
