Clarksville-Montgomery County Public Library begins renovations Monday, June 11th

Clarksville-Montgomery County Public Library

Clarksville, TN – Phase 1 of a major renovation of portions of the Clarksville-Montgomery County Public Library will begin Monday, June 11th, 2018.

Using a public/private funding partnership, the library, which was last renovated 21 years ago, will take a big leap towards becoming the building that it needs to be to give the public a more updated, useful, attractive, inviting and comfortable experience.

A long overdue renovation of the library’s public restrooms will be funded using the library’s reserve operating funds at a total cost of $180,000.00.

The remainder of the renovation, called the Main Refresh, will be funded with non-taxpayer Library Foundation monies controlled by the Library Board, in the amount of $270,500.00.

The following projects are included in the Main Refresh:

• Renovation and enclosure of a dedicated teen space on the second floor including new carpeting, installation of a resilient floor for programming, and a dedicated gaming area.
• Creation of three new multi-person study/meeting rooms where the reference print collection was previously located as well as refresh of the current two-person study rooms on the second floor
• Creation of a quiet study area at one end of the genealogy room
• Creation of a maker space / alternative meeting room on the first floor
• Creation of a room that will house the library’s new automated material handling sorting machine near the circulation desk and adjoining the lobby. This machine is expected to be purchased in June also using Foundation funding.

Library Director Martha Hendricks stated, “This renovation is the beginning of a new phase wherein the library can really begin to reflect in the physical building the changes that we’ve already made in terms of where the library is today vs. where we were. The library is becoming more of a community center, with meeting rooms being more important, for example.”

“Brick and mortar facilities across the spectrum must upgrade to meet the demands of residents who want more when they make the decision to get in the car to drive to a place in this internet age,” said Hendricks.

“The Library Board, myself, and library staff also wanted to be sure that, with the likely coming of a branch library in north Clarksville, the current building has these upgrades now and is refreshed so that it remains the vibrant and distinctive place that it needs to be. This notion was definitely included in the library’s strategic planning,” Hendricks stated.

Hendricks hopes that the public will be patient with the disruption that will result from this renovation, especially since the timing coincides with the library’s Summer Reading Program – the busiest time of the year for the building.

Of note also – the large sculpture of cogs and wheels in the lobby – Patterns of Progress, by artist Tom Malone has been removed from that area and will be re-installed by staff of the Customs House Museum in the new maker space room at its completion. 

The library renovation is expected to be completed by the beginning of October.

About the Clarksville-Montgomery County Public Library

The Clarksville-Montgomery County Public Library champions learning and reading, ignites imaginations, and delivers access to information and ideas. Learn more at www.mcgtn.org/library

The library is located at 230 Pageant Lane, Suite 501, Clarksville, TN.