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Davenport library board approves temporary Fairmont branch closure for carpet and paint work
Summary
The Davenport Public Library board approved a temporary closure of the Fairmont branch for approximately three weeks in mid‑August to allow carpet replacement and painting, while directing staff to minimize service disruption and prioritize safety.
The Davenport Public Library Board of Trustees voted April 21 to approve a temporary closure of the Fairmont branch in mid‑August for about three weeks to allow carpet replacement and interior painting.
Library director Jeff Collins told the board the projects — long deferred and now being packaged together to reduce repeated disruptions — would likely require a short full closure so crews can safely relocate stacks and complete floor work. "We'll still have the drive‑thru open ... the book returns will still be open," Collins said, and staff will try to offer some programming outdoors, including moving the owl checkout into the parking lot.
Several trustees raised safety and access questions. Trustee Joanna Drake asked whether the board should simply close the building entirely because of concerns about fumes and staff exposure. "I think this is a good idea to cut it off to everyone," Drake said, adding she was worried about painting and adhesive fumes if the flooring is replaced.
Collins and trustees discussed operational options the board would not micromanage: staff may be reassigned to other branches, a skeleton crew would remain available, and the director would decide whether portions of the facility (for example, meeting rooms or the lobby) could be reopened if contractors complete those areas earlier than others. "If there was ever any concern about a potential damage to a natural safety issue as far as the fumes then we wouldn't ... have the building open," Collins said.
The board's motion approved a temporary closure to patrons for the stated period and left details of staffing, partial reopenings and safety mitigation to the director and staff. The vote passed by recorded roll call with all trustees present voting yes.
The board also discussed logistics for bidders: the project will go to bid in May, and trustees asked staff to provide more detailed scheduling and safety information at the May meeting before contractors are finalized. Collins said the board needed at least 90 days' notice for patrons to cancel meeting room bookings and that staff would try to coordinate vendors to speed reopening of high‑demand areas.
Next steps: staff will proceed with bidding and return with firm contractor plans and refined timelines at the May meeting; the approved motion authorizes closure subject to those operational decisions by staff.
