Library director says renovation nearly complete but stairs, railings and delayed equipment hold full reopening

Library Director Corey Bridal told the Library Advisory Board that most renovation work at the Newberg library is progressing, but some safety- and access-related items must be finished and inspected before the building fully reopens. The board met and discussed ongoing work including sidewalk concrete curing, custom railings and slow shipments for an audiovisual projector and shelving brackets. The director said the new projector was lost in transit and had to be reordered, and that panels for shelving have arrived but the brackets remain delayed. Because several parts were coming from China, Bridal said the projector shipment took about three months to arrive the first time. She told the board the remaining fabrication — notably the exterior railings — could take ‘‘a couple of weeks’’ and that the stairs cannot be opened to the public until the railings pass inspection. Board members heard that the library has been using a temporary north-door entrance while exterior work proceeds. Bridal said the change in entry has caused confusion for some patrons (several people have come in on the second floor or exited the Carnegie door) and that staff and volunteers have been helping direct visitors. The drop box has been closed at times when concrete trucks are on-site, which Bridal said happened for ‘‘two different days’’ during the work; staff advised patrons in advance when possible. The board also discussed operational adjustments: circulation and reference duties have been shifted to a staff desk near the temporary entrance, which Bridal said has made that area busier while other service points are quieter. She said the ramp grading is improved and will help people with strollers and book carts. The board heard that most remaining interior installations can be scheduled on weekday mornings to avoid closing the library, but the exterior railings and a passing inspection are the gating items for full public access. The board did not take formal action on construction contracts at the meeting; the report from Bridal was informational and intended to update members on timeline and operational impacts.