Summit County library outlines move plan, targets August occupancy; staff preview programs and author visit
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Summary
Library staff said the contractor aims to finish work by July with an August occupancy target, outlined plans to move roughly 50,000 items, and previewed programs including a Feb. 7 children’s event and a July author visit from Shelley Reed.
The Summit County Library board heard an extended director’s report on plans for the library’s upcoming remodel and move, staffing and new programs.
Library staff said Zwick Construction has been selected as the general contractor for the remodel and that contractor work aims to be finished in July, with an August occupancy appearing realistic. Staff described a detailed shelving plan with Space Saver and GSBS architects to map shelf destinations so boxes can be labeled and the collection moved efficiently. The collection was estimated at about 50,000 items.
Staff also described outreach and programming planned around the move: a "Bring Your Child to Library" day at Kimmel Junction on Feb. 7 with costumed characters and free books for new library-card sign-ups; Sundance-related film screenings in late January/early February; and the library’s community book pick, Go at the River by Shelley Reed, with an author visit planned for July. A staff member said the library received a grant that made purchasing circulating “Yoda” players possible and that cataloging is underway.
Board members discussed volunteer options to assist the move—teen service projects, local civic groups such as Rotary, or chamber volunteers—and considered extending checkouts to reduce in-branch inventory before packing. Staff said some newer equipment (for example, recently purchased copiers) will move to the new site while some hardware will be replaced.
Board members and staff raised safety concerns about a patio railing design at the new site that may not be child-safe; several members said they will press architects and the contractor to add child-safety measures or budget a fix in a future year if necessary.
The board and staff agreed to minimize closure time: technology infrastructure should be installed and tested before staff move equipment, allowing most of the move to focus on the collection. The board also discussed administrative housekeeping such as updating policies that reference the building address and issuing new library cards with the correct address.
The board set follow‑up work on final shelving maps, community-mobilization plans for packing, and continued communication with the contractor about safety items and the move timetable.
