Bond began information overhaul

When voters approved the Yuma County Library District's $53.7 million bond in 2005, they set in motion a massive overhaul of the way Yuma residents will access information.

By the spring of 2009, library district officials say, that overhaul will be complete. The projects in progress are:

-The new main library. A $28-million, 80,000-square foot facility that will be built on 10 acres in southwest Yuma at 21st Drive and 28th Place. It will be almost four times the size of the old main library. Construction will break ground Feb. 4.

-The Heritage Branch Library, 350 S. 3rd Ave. The former main library is being rebuilt to act as a secondary library facility for the city of Yuma. The project, budgeted at $3.6 million, will expand the building to 22,605 square feet and update the facility, which last underwent major expansion in 1965. Construction is underway and scheduled to be finished by July.

-Foothills Branch Library. At 22,000 square feet the new library will be 10 times the size of the current facility, to serve the growing population in the Foothills and the yearly influx of winter visitors. It is budgeted at $6 million. Construction is underway.

-Wellton Branch Library. This $2.3-million facility will offer the community a larger space with more meeting rooms and computer services. It will be 8,500 square feet in size. Construction is underway.

-Someton Branch Library. The existing library facility will be expanded to 13,000 square feet for a cost of $2.7 million. It will offer expanded community resources, particularly more meeting rooms and a teen area. Construction is scheduled to break ground this month.

-San Luis Branch Library. A new $9.7-million library, more than 30,000 square feet in size. The design phase on this project is nearing completion but construction has not started yet. Library district officials hope to break ground sometime this year.

-Dateland and Roll branch libraries. Approximately $114,000 in bond money was put into technological enhancements such as electronic resource kiosks in the school media centers. Both libraries are located inside the community's elementary schools. These improvements will be finished later this month.

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Sarah Reynolds can be reached at

sreynolds@yumasun.com or 539-6847.

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TIMELINE OF THE YUMA COUNTY

LIBRARY DISTRICT BOND PROJECTS

-November 2005: Yuma County voters approve a $53.7 million bond to build four new libraries, remodel and expand existing libraries and add technological enhancements to all facilities.

-December 2006/January 2007: The old Main Library, 350 S. 3rd Ave., is closed for partial demolition and reconstruction so it can be converted into the Heritage Branch. Most of the books and library services are moved to a temporary location at Vibes, a former teen club, at 185 S. Main St.

-July 2007: Wellton Library construction begins

-September 2007: Foothills Library construction begins

-December 2007: Technological enhancements at the Dateland and Roll library branches begin

-Feb. 4, 2008: New Main Library construction is scheduled to break ground

-February 2008: Somerton Branch Library expansion is scheduled to begin. Technological enhancements in Dateland and Roll are scheduled to be completed.

-May 2008: Target date for completion of the Wellton Branch Library

-July 2008: Target date for completion of renovations on the Heritage Branch at the former Main Library site

-August 2008: Target date for completion of the Foothills Branch Library

-October 2008: Target date for completion of the Somerton Branch expansion

-2008: San Luis Library construction is tentatively scheduled to being this year

-Spring 2009: Target date for completion of the new Main Library and the San Luis Branch Library