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February 5, 2009

New Linden library construction right on schedule

By SUZANNE C. RUSSELL • Staff Writer • February 4, 2009
Courier-News Online

LINDEN —Despite the snow and cold weather, construction is proceeding on the city's $9 million Linden Public Library.

"It's going very well," said Library Director Dennis Purves, adding the basic skeleton is up for the library, which is being constructed on the parking lot of the existing library at 31 E. Henry St.

Purves said the snow has slowed things down, but workers are on the site even when the weather is bad.

Recently Mayor Richard Gerbounka, library Board of Trustees president Marilyn Coplan, library board secretary Joan Konrad, Purves and project manager Paul Harbaugh of Harbour Consultants, signed a steel beam which will be installed as part of the roof of the new building.

With the shell of the building in place, Purves said the concrete for the second floor should be poured soon and then in the next few weeks work should begin on the outside of the structure.

Purves said the project is on target to be completed by November or December.

"We're looking at the end of the year," he said.

Ground was broken in September for the project which is being financed through the Union County Improvement Authority. Linden is borrowing $7 million from the authority which arranges financing for public projects. The city previously borrowed $2 million for the project.

The new three-story, 25,000-square-foot building will replace a structure dating back to 1939 which is small, in poor condition and has an outdated electrical system which cannot support the electrical demands of computers and other modern technology.

The new library is designed to have an open, welcoming facade with landscaping that will include flowering plants and the city's namesake linden trees. The library will be equipped with wireless capacity for Internet access and a computer laboratory with space for computer classes. There will be be three large conference rooms.

The new children's section will feature an outdoor patio for reading and story time. A separate area with comfortable seating is designed to appeal to young adults.

During the construction, the existing library remains open.

"The bulk of our collection is still here," Purves said.

Parking has become a little more difficult because of the construction work but patrons are parking on the street and in a lot behind the Dairy Queen, he said.

"People are still getting in," he said.

Purves said the computers are always busy and people also are coming in to borrow the free DVDs and take out books.

"It's pretty steady," said Purves, who has noticed people working on resumes during these tough economic times. "We were told a year ago our business would drop, but we're very busy throughout the day."

The existing library will be demolished as the new library nears completion.

The children's library has been temporarily relocated to the game room at the John T. Gregorio Recreation Center, 330 Helen St.

Linden library cards also are being accepted at neighboring libraries in Clark, Rahway and Roselle.

Suzanne C. Russell; 732-565-7335; srussell@MyCentralJersey.com

Posted by tumulty at February 5, 2009 6:58 AM

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