Library volunteers say move to Kemper Library is ahead of schedule; book 'relay' set for July 30

Mary Pat Aveli, a longtime library volunteer, told the council the library move from the Main Street building to the Kemper Library is ahead of schedule and invited council members and residents to participate in a ceremonial "bookworm relay" on July 30.

"Everything that we are moving from the building on Main Street has been moved to the Kemper Library... We said the library would be closed for a month, but we're hoping to beat that deadline," Aveli said, and described plans for volunteers and police coordination for street safety during the relay. She said the event will begin at 5:30 p.m. on July 30 with the relay starting at 6:00 p.m., followed by an ice cream social.

Aveli said the move included significant volunteer support and that staff are unpacking boxes and organizing collections; she anticipated a soft opening in late July and a fuller grand opening in the fall after remaining furniture deliveries and final technology checks. "We are ahead of schedule on the library move," she said. Council members expressed appreciation for volunteers and praised the project as a community hub.

The volunteer-led relay will transport the last boxes of books from the Main Street building across Main Street down Center Street to the new Kemper Library entrance, pending final coordination with police and volunteers. Aveli said she had discussed the plan with "Kate" and with Police Chief Randy Ayers, and the group expects the city to assist with traffic control at key intersections.