Yuma library packs stacks

The Main Street Library, which has been temporarily set up downtown at 185 S. Main St., will close at 5 p.m. Saturday in order to move back into its original location at 350 S. 3rd Ave.

Sarah Wisdom, community relations manager for the Yuma County Library District, said during that time, library staff will be moving its books, shelves, furniture and other equipment, including the less-popular titles in the library's collection that have been moved to two other Main Street locations for storage.

"All of our other locations will be open their normal hours during this process, so there will be branches open if you still would like to visit a library," Wisdom said. "We took a walk-through of the original location a couple of weeks ago and everything is so beautiful."

Yuma County Library District had been paying more then $10,000 a month in rent for the downtown locations.

The 3rd Avenue library was closed in January 2007 to undergo structural, mechanical and electrical renovations to comply with building codes, specifically earthquake standards.

Other changes include adding more restrooms, improving energy efficiency and upgrading the heating and cooling.

This library will become the Heritage Branch when the 80,000-square-foot new main library is completed at 21st Drive and 28th Street.

Now that those renovations have been completed, Wisdom said it's time to begin the process of moving back.

Wisdom said the library, which has about 300,000 items in its collection, is extending the due dates of books currently being checked out until Aug. 15, which is the day after the revamped location reopens.

"Books can still be turned in at other branch locations, so that is another option if patrons choose to do that," Wisdom said.

Wisdom added that the book drops will still be available outside the South Main Street location during the move. "We will be checking it several times a day."

The grand opening for the newly remodeled facility is scheduled for 6 p.m. Aug. 14.


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James Gilbert can be reached at
jgilbert@yumasun.com or 539-6854.