Veterans Memorial Library library getting a facelift

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Almost 90 percent of the Veterans Memorial Library’s items are stored in boxes on four rented semitrailers.

But its patrons, including Deb Gorby, still love the library or, for the next two months, its annex.

Gorby, 38, drove 40 minutes from Chippewa Lake with her daughter, Erin, to the library at 301 S. University Ave. in Mount Pleasant instead of going to the closer, fully functioning library in Big Rapids.

“I like this library better than the one in Big Rapids, even though it’s under construction,” she said. “We knew they had a story hour for (Erin), and they’ve got the kinds of books she likes.”

The carpets are being stripped from the Veterans Memorial Library’s main floor, the ceilings replaced and the network wiring upgraded as part of an extensive renovation project.

The books also will be rearranged to give sections of the library better definition, said Lise Mitchell, executive director of library services for the Chippewa River District Library.

Mitchell said many of these changes have been long overdue, stemming back to the library’s last renovation in 1985. The focus now is to upgrade the technology and make the library more efficient.

“We’re basically trying to follow a strategic plan,” Mitchell said. “The idea is they can come in and get things quickly to improve workflow and how patrons use their library. We’re trying to prep the library for future changes.”

The library is adding a new, larger adult computer lab along with a family computer lab. The children’s and teens’ sections will be moved to the lower levels of the library to give those groups their own space.

Mount Pleasant resident Dave Skinner comes to Veterans Memorial a couple times a month to check out books and DVDs, but the temporary changes do not bother him.

“It’s pretty cramped, but it’s not too bad,” he said. “The free DVDs aren’t bad. It’ll be worth it.”

The annex will house about 10,000 of the library’s most popular items and 10 computers until the renovations are complete.

“I’m all for it. Since it’s a university town, I’m sure they need to make their updates,” Gorby said.

Mitchell hopes the renovations will be complete by March 19 — the library’s 100th anniversary.