Renovation projects begin for Arapahoe Public Library

Tuesday, September 22, 2020
Renovation work has begun on the Arapahoe Public Library.
Wilkins Architecture Design Planning

ARAPAHOE, Neb. -- A major renovation and remodeling project is underway for the Arapahoe Public Library, adding much-needed room for after-school and community activities as well as making current space more accessible.

Director Jennifer Einspahr credited overwhelming local support and assistance from surrounding communities with making the project possible, with Paulsen Inc. awarded the construction project, which will start this month. Caitlin Snyder and Jacob Sertich of Wilkins Architecture Design Planning of Kearney are the design team for the renovated space.

In 2020, the library received a $372,172 matching grant from the Nebraska Department of Economic Development’s Civic and Community Center Financial Fund to move forward with the project. The project has also been made possible through challenge grants from the Peter Kiewit Foundation and other anonymous groups, an ongoing capital campaign and funds raised from the Arapahoe Gala.

The project will address the space and accessibility challenges the library currently faces. A 1,720 sq. ft. addition on the West side of the existing structure will add a new community room dedicated to library programming, especially children’s afterschool activities, and can be rented to the public for use outside of normal library hours. This addition will also include new ADA accessible bathrooms, the main entrance and exit vestibule and ADA accessible parking on the northwest side of the building.

A drive-up window is also part of the project. This will allow patrons the ease of using the library’s services without leaving their vehicles. This will be ideal for people with limited mobility or parents with young children. It will allow the staff to stay inside of the building versus doing curbside delivery in all kinds of weather.

Inside the existing space, 1,200 sq. ft. of intensive renovations will be undertaken. The current space, built in 1959, began as the Peace Lutheran Church and became the public library in 1985. The footprint of the original church sanctuary will remain intact, with the greatest changes being the removal of the 60-year-old bathrooms, creating a new circulation desk area that faces the children’s section and the additions of the drive-up window and the new community room.

The library is currently operating out of the American Legion Hall at 406 Nebraska Ave and still offers the majority of its services in this new temporary space. Weather permitting; the renovation is scheduled for completion by March of 2021

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