Freeland Library to close for major remodel

The Freeland Library will close its doors to the public next Saturday for a six-month remodeling project that will cost $346,000.

For library patrons, that means children, teen and adult programs that were scheduled for later this month at the library will be shifted to Trinity Lutheran Church. And readers who don’t want to hit the road to borrow books from another Sno-Isle library can visit the bookmobile on Fridays at the church, starting July 28.

The Freeland Library closes July 8 for the major expansion and remodel and won’t reopen until early 2007. The building project includes additional parking, more seating room, a remodeled children’s area, and additional work space for the library staff.

Earlier this week, the Sno-Isle Board of Trustees approved a construction contract for the remodel with Ebenal General, Inc., a contractor out of Bellingham. Sno-Isle Libraries and Friends of the Freeland Library are sharing the cost of the remodel.

The plan calls for expanding the library by an additional 1,300 square feet.

“We will be adding a larger and more appealing children’s area with enough space for storytime programs. The teen area will be expanded and the computer stations reconfigured,” said Becky Bolte, Island region manager for Sno-Isle Libraries.

Other plans call for a computer station for pre-schoolers loaded with age-appropriate software. A self-service check-out station will also be part of the new look.

“Patrons will be able to self-check out and pull their own holds,” Bolte said. “This is a very popular feature; 60 percent of library patrons use self-service when it is available.”

Carpeting and upholstery will also be replaced and updated.

During the closure, library users will use other Sno-Isle libraries in Clinton, Langley, Coupeville or Oak Harbor. Materials put on hold should be designated for pickup at another nearby library for the duration of the remodel.

Extended hours for the Clinton and Langley libraries will begin the week of July 17; call the libraries for the new hours.

In the meantime, the Sno-Isle Libraries bookmobile will provide library service to the Freeland area.

For those who don’t want to travel out of Freeland, the bookmobile will be open for business every Friday beginning July 28 from 11:15 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. in the Trinity Lutheran Church Parking lot near the park-and-ride section.

Several children’s’ programs that were scheduled for the Freeland Library have been moved to Trinity Lutheran Church: “Animal Tracks, Tricks and Tales,” 2:30 p.m., Thursday July 13; “Frontier Days at the Library,” 2:30 p.m., Thursday, July 20, and “Paper Party,” 2:30 p.m., Thursday, July 27.

The venue for the teen and adult program “Write a Song for Levi,” has been changed to 7 p.m. Tuesday, July 11 at Whidbey’s Lighthouse Cafe. Doors open at 6:30 p.m.

How does singer/songwriter Levi Burke write his songs? Come find out as he writes songs on the spot with suggestions from the audience. Coffee, drinks and desserts will be served.

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