The children’s reading garden is mostly complete, but the solar-powered workstations have been swapped out for a less expensive alternative, as inflation and supply chain problems impose some modifications on the roughly $2 million renovation at the Gretna Library.
Despite those glitches, the overall scope of the project remains intact, said the recently retired Pittsylvania County Library Executive Director Lisa Tuite.
When the vision for the Gretna Library renovations was presented in February by landscape architect Trenda Leavitt of Beechwood Design, solar powered, outdoor workstations were part of the package — a green energy way to provide residents with power for laptops and computers during the times when the library was closed.
However, Tuite said a single solar table ranged in cost from $12,000 to $20,000 when they were priced about a year ago.
Tuite said they went shopping for a less expensive option, and found coated metal tables with permanent umbrellas — but even the cost of those kept rising — from an initial $5,000 each in July 2021 to $9,400 each in August — and that didn’t include shipping and installation, said Tuite.
Finally, the library system settled on recycled plastic pedestal tables that will need to have the umbrellas changed periodically, at a cost of $6,500 for three, plus shipping and installation.
“But you can replace a lot of umbrellas for $14,000 in savings. So the inflation and supply chain woes are certainly a factor. We are trying to be prudent and fiscally sensible while achieving the desired outcome,” said Tuite.
Power will be provided by conventional means.
For the exterior, the Pittsylvania Public Library Foundation, the Library Board and the Gretna Friends of the Library has raised more than $300,000, but the total cost of the project is still greater, said Tuite.
Once the hardscaping for the children’s reading garden and public workstation is complete, workers will begin that process on the entrance place, followed by the entrance sign, said Tuite.
“The new plantings may wait until spring, depending on how long the hardscaping takes — we we don’t want to disturb new plantings with a lot of digging and heaving equipment moving around,” said Tuite.
Construction on the new facade will also require some adjustments by staff and patrons.
When work begins on the front of the building, staff will have to bring books and other materials out to patrons through the staff door in the rear of the building, said Tuite.
“We have always known that there will be periods during this process where public access will be limited, but the contractors and the library staff are trying to minimize that as much as possible and continue providing as many library services as possible during those periods,” said Tuite.
Inside, supply chain issues led to the repurposing of a set of double doors from an existing meeting room to use on a new meeting room. Doors in a style similar to those used in the building were simply not available in a timeframe that could be managed, said Tuite.
“However, this does allow us to rethink the old doorway, which will lead from the new children’s reading area into the children’s programming room. In the original plan, those doors were not going to change. Now, we have the opportunity to put in a single glass door with a big window. I think that will be a much better outcome,” said Tuite.
Meanwhile, work has begun to transform the former Danville Community College conference room and classrooms into a meeting room and the adult reading area. Americans with Disability Act compliant front entrances are being installed and the bathroom doors have been moved in anticipation of the circulation desk being moved to face the front of the building.
Tuite said the construction documents for Phase 3 are expected soon so that bids can be issued.
Phase 3 will incorporate one of the biggest changes for patrons — the new circulation desk area, which will be located front and center as patrons enter the building.
This part will also include some disruption, said Tuite.
After new flooring is installed, new furnishings will be placed in the west (phase 1 and 2) side of the building and library operations will be moved to that side of the building while the east side is renovated. Then, once the flooring is in, the rest of the new furniture can be installed and the library will be ready to go!, said Tuite, adding that the landscape work will continue for some time after that, but much of it will be available for use even as new features are added.
The Gretna Library has expanded operational hours from the 48 hours per week to 52 hours per week to include four Saturday hours. They hope to expand that to six Saturday hours, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., once the exterior work is finished.
The roughly $2 million project has received sizable contributions from Pittsylvania County and the Danville Regional Foundation. The project has also benefitted from private donations.
The interior renovations are expected to be completed by spring 2023, with landscape projects being added as funding becomes available.
