Library staff outline refurbishment plan: shelving, flooring, teen area and furniture

Library staff (S4) gave a multi-part update on a planned refurbishment of the Iowa City Public Library’s interior spaces, describing the scope and next steps for the project. The project keeps the previously selected flooring, replaces worn furniture and some shelving, removes carpet in key areas, and will extend electrical access where feasible. "We're going to be replacing the front chairs... we're going to replace the carpeting in Meeting Room D and in the hallway," S4 said, and added that shelving purchased in 1980 is still sturdy but that cutting existing units is expensive and replacement may be the more economical route.

Staff said fiction would move upstairs to create a first-floor 'marketplace' for new nonfiction spotlights and displays; they estimated "the entire fiction collection will fit on 0.5 of [a floor] and would still have plenty of room to grow," though they did not provide an exact title count. On the second floor, staff proposed shorter, modular shelving on one side, new cafe-style seating and laptop bars with electrical access, and flexible teen-room furniture to allow programming and informal use. S4 said the next step is to start the construction bidding process for flooring removal, grinding, electrical, millwork and furniture procurement; staff will work with the architect to narrow options and then put furniture and construction contracts to bid.