Normal library celebrating remodeling work

NORMAL The interior remodel at the Normal Public Library is completed and a celebration is planned on Wednesday.

Patrons can check out DVDs free all day and there will be a variety of activities from 1 to 9 p.m. Folk singer-songwriters Stone & Snow will perform from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m.; Rick Eugene will do magic and balloon art from 3 to 7 p.m.; and light refreshments will be served from 1 to 9 p.m.

The renovation was prompted by the addition of a new automated book sorter that reads radio frequency identification tags on items being checked in, and then sorts them for reshelving. Patrons feed their returned items into the sorter that is located on the eastern part of the first floor, and can watch the process work through a large viewing window.

Accommodating the large sorter led to other remodeling, including removing several walls on the first floor that opened the space and took advantage of natural light from the windows. Walls were razed behind the circulation desk, providing a large open space for the library's audio, DVD and MP3 collections. The reference desk also was moved, giving space for CDs.

The former computer area is now a periodical area; computers were moved to smaller table clusters in the center of the first floor.

On the second floor, a "mother's room" and "technical playground" were added. Some offices also were moved.

The remodeling and the new sorter cost about $100,000, which was set aside from last year's budget.

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Normal library celebrating remodeling work