Garland Public Library sets Central Library ribbon-cutting for July 12; downtown Express to close June 22

Garland Public Library officials said the new Central Library received a certificate of occupancy on June 4 and will open to the public with a ribbon-cutting and daylong celebration on Saturday, July 12.

The library announced that Central Library Express downtown will remain open through Saturday, June 21; beginning Sunday, June 22 the Express location will close and “there’ll be about 3 weeks that there will be no library services in Downtown Garland” while staff box, move and install materials at the new Central location, library staff said.

The closure will be followed by a full-day opening celebration on July 12 running from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., with programs, tours, children’s events, food trucks and a band on the exterior stage. Staff asked board members and volunteers to sign up to help at event stations, from greeting to supervising the children’s slide, the presenter said.

“This is something to be really excited about,” the presenter said, noting work remains on interior installations and staff training. The library is running an extensive training program for staff systemwide, including maker-space equipment and other new technology before public service begins.

Library staff said furniture, fixtures and equipment deliveries are ongoing. New reader chairs, bistro tables, partitioned computer tables with electrical outlets, colorful children’s seating and modular teen furniture have been installed in sections of the new building. Landscaping crews have installed a tree grove and turf around the west main entrance, and staff said a large public art piece is being staged and installed in the skylight area; the team that is installing the artwork has unboxed large glass components and reinforced ceiling attachment points.

The service kiosk downtown will remain functional during the three-week transition and staff will work with patrons who need holds or interlibrary-loan items redirected to other locations, the presenter said. The city’s social media team will publicize the closure and opening dates via the city press brief and the library’s e-newsletter; signage will also be placed at library locations.

West Garland branch received many of the same furniture deliveries and new shelving, the presenter said, but its construction schedule is running behind Central. “Right now, we’re probably looking at August,” the presenter said of a possible West Garland opening date, but cautioned that the date could change depending on remaining work and weather-related site conditions.

Board members discussed arranging a site visit to West Garland once the contractor clears remaining obstacles; staff said muddy conditions at the site have delayed interior walkthroughs.

Ending: Library staff said they will provide more detailed public notices in the week before Central Library Express closes and will continue updating the board on West Garland timing and outstanding installations.