“The Freeland Library will receive a new coat of paint this week.A new coat of paint will cover up siding problems that have plagued the Freeland Library for several years.The building, built in 1994, was pressure washed Monday morning to prepare for a new coat of paint being applied this week. The library will remain open during the painting project.Peggy Berto, president of Friends of the Freeland Library, said local painter Rod Taylor submitted the lowest of some six bids requested. The cost, $5,261, is almost the same amount the Friends acquired from a settlement with the manufacturer of the library’s siding.Berto said the siding is Masonite, which the original contractor purchased from Boise Cascade. The architect’s plan called for cedar siding, but a switch was made to Masonite. Berto said it is uncertain why that was done.The Masonite siding came with a 25 year warranty, but Berto said flaws were notices shortly after the library was built. Moisture was apparently absorbed in places, causing the siding to swell and discolor.Although the library is operated by Sno-Isle Regional Library System, maintenance is the responsibility of the non-profit Friends of the Freeland Library.Berto said the Friends filed a claim against Boise Cascade, which had reached a settlement with others experiencing the same problem with Masonite siding. The first claim check for $5,100 was received last year, which provided money for the new paint job.Berto said the settlement will allow the Friends to make a new claim every year until 2006. Painting isn’t their preferred solution, but Berto said replacing the siding on the entire library would cost a bundle.The Friends group hopes the new paint will cover up the bad spots and protect the remainder for another five years, during which time more claim checks may be received.The library siding isn’t entirely bad. An awful lot of it is in good shape, Berto said.She advises patrons not to park too close to the library this week to avoid the possibility of paint hitting their cars. “