Sneak Peek: Wyckoff's New Library

Wyckoff Patch met up with Library Director Mary Witherell Tuesday morning outside the Wyckoff Public Library to get an inside look at the new 25,000 square foot space.

The overhaul project, , almost doubled the library floor plan and adds a number of vast improvements. 

The major renovation work will be mostly done by the end of February, Witherell said, and she and her architect expect to take a final run though of the building in March.

Then comes the shelving, mill work, desks and counters.

"March 31st is when [construction company] Unimak will hand me the keys,"  Witherell said. "April is technology month."

In April a company, which has yet to be selected, will install the IT and security systems, as well as the audio/visual equipment that will be used throughout the library.

The library's temporary location on Wyckoff Avenue will be operational throughout the majority of the process, Witherell said, with one brief exception. 

During a single week when moving crews are fully involved in shifting the phone and computer systems, and collection from the Wyckoff Avenue location, she said it's likely library operations will have to come to a complete stop.

But for Witherell, , the road so far has been a pleasant ride full of welcome changes.

"Every week the library's appearance changes," Witherell said. "Even something as simple as pavers makes me so happy."

Witherell was tentative about providing a date when patrons would get to use the new facility, but indicated that she and her staff were aiming for a May reopening.

Construction workers applied spackle and laid tile Tuesday morning as we walked the bookless, bustling husk. Sunlight bursting through a massive window at the library's southern end reached clear across the dusty concrete floors.

"Everything that was wrong with the space before has been addressed," Witherell said, standing in the warm sunlight. "It's going to be such a pleasant space to be in."

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