Completion Date Backed Up for Library Building

The date for substantial completion of the library remodeling project in Effingham has been backed up.

Poettker Construction, the general contractor on the project, was granted 30 additional days to move the project toward completion. Library Director Amanda McKay said the library was waiting to complete a couple of items at the time the contract was awarded, and that didn't enable Poettker to get started as quickly as they would have liked. The date for substantial completion is now August 1.

McKay cautioned that substantial completion doesn't mean the same thing as moving day, but it does allow the work of furnishing the building and relocating items from the current location on Market Avenue to begin. She remains hopeful of opening the new location about the time the school year begins.

McKay anticipates a special library board meeting next week to discuss paint, floor coverings and furniture for the facility.

Speaking of the board, the three incumbents whose terms are up May 1...Rachael Fearday, Matthew Greider and Rod Wiethop...would like to stay on the Board, but it'll be up to whoever is the new mayor to recommend appointments to the Board.

The Board formally changed the name of the facility from Helen Matthes Library to Effingham Public Library, but the new name will start to be utilized once the move is made to the 3rd Street facility.

The Board established a $2 million line of credit with Washington Savings Bank to help finance the renovations while pledges to cover the cost are received. 

Library board members also approved an updated child safety policy. The measure requires that anyone under age 10 must be accompanied by someone 13 or older and that individual must remain in the same department as the younger child. The user fee for non-residents will be increased by $1, to $128/year, as of May 1, and the Board adopted an updated meeting room policy, effective when the move is made into the new facility. Instead of 30 days in advance, individuals or group can now reserve a meeting room up to 60 days in advance and can use them after hours for an additional $10/hour. The fee will be $25/hour for a small meeting room, and $50/hour for a large meeting room. The library will still offer free meeting space to those not-for-profit groups.