POTSDAM – The Potsdam Public Library is expected to reopen within the next week after being closed for major renovations for the past 16 months.

The “once in a century renovation” included removal of the old drop ceiling, addition of a mezzanine level, new foundations, and a new classroom, said architect Rebecca Weld of Renew Architecture & Design.

New air conditioning was installed; plaster walls, ceilings, trim and columns were repaired, floors have been refinished, and painting and new lighting have been added.

The circulation desk will now be in the center of the library, instead of at the front.

The elevator lobby has been rebuilt to accommodate accessible doors to the library’s new mezzanine. The mezzanine will house a large computer station overlooking the first floor. It also contains a classroom/meeting room and adult non-fiction books.

“The new space is going to have a big impact on the library experience for all patrons,” said Potsdam Library Executive Director Annie Davey. “We have a new dedicated children's space which was designed to limit the transfer of noise to the rest of the library. The mezzanine adds a lot of square footage, giving us more room for seating areas. We've added a beautiful classroom up on the mezzanine where we will be able to hold larger classes that previously would have been held off-site in the Village's Community Room.”

“We've changed the aesthetic of the space entirely -- it was last remodeled in 1976 when many of the building's historic details were covered up, and since that time almost nothing had been done to even maintain the space -- we had threadbare carpet, crumbling plaster everywhere, not even a coat of paint in all these years,” the director said.

“We've taken out the old carpet, restored the original hardwood flooring, uncovered and restored the intricate moulding around the edges of the ceiling and the stage, restored the ceiling to its previous height, replaced the fluorescent lights, and added trim details to the mezzanine so it looks like it has always been there,” Davey said. “We are thrilled to have proper heating and cooling (yes, we now have AC), and many more electrical outlets. We've improved accessibility to the space -- before the renovation, there was no elevator access to the second floor. We've now connected that space to the existing elevator.

Davey told North Country This Week that the total project cost is about $1.2 million, about 25% of which was funded from the library's savings and donations, and the rest from three NYS Construction in Libraries grants.

“We still have work to do in the offices, which will be completed with the remaining grant funds,” Davey said. “Materials costs have increased significantly since we began planning the project in 2016 and we have had to revise our plans to fit within our funding limits.”

“Unfortunately, we were not able to afford to replace any of the furniture and that's something that will be a top priority for future fundraising efforts,” she said.

For the past several weeks, library staff have been setting up bookshelves and reshelving the approximately 50,000 books and other materials that have been stored in boxes during the renovation, said Sarah Sachs, public service manager.

Computers used to check out books still had to be set up as of last week. The desktop and laptop computers for the public were also in need of cleaning and updating, as they have not been used since March 2020, she said.

Unexpected challenges and pandemic-related supply chain issues caused multiple delays throughout the renovation project, said Weld.

New foundations had to be built around existing foundations, existing infrastructure was hidden under the slab, and difficult soil and asbestos were both encountered, said Weld. Similarly, the walls were “full of hidden surprises,” she said.

“COVID caused funding delays that affected timing of phases, and most importantly, has greatly disturbed the supply chain and shipping, so many materials were very delayed towards the end of the project,” she said.

Library staffers who have been shelving books have had to work around the contractors’ schedules, Sachs said. Electricians, painters and contractors were still working inside the library last week.

Currently, the temporary circulation desk is housed in the crowded staff room at the back of the second floor, where only interlibrary loan books are available for pickup.

“Our grand opening is going to be the second or third week of September. We're having to move the date a bit later due to some scheduling conflicts for key people. We will be opening for patrons for in-person service around mid-August, barring any setbacks,” said Davey.

“The grand opening will include tours of the renovated library and food trucks outside, as well as speeches,” said Sachs.

Weld will be among those to receive recognition. “It has been great working with Rebecca Weld. There are many advantages to working with a talented, local architect,” said Sachs.

Continental Construction of Gouverneur was the general contractor during the first phase and Stevens Electric handled electrical work.

Cornerstone Services of Norwood installed the air conditioning.

Northern Tier Construction was the contractor for the final stage. TEL Inc did the electric work, including installing all the big ceiling lights. Painting was done by Racquette River Contracting. Northern Tier also donated the painting of the lobby and rear entry.

“All of the contractors we worked with were professional and generous, and the staff has worked tirelessly to make this once in a century renovation worth the effort,” said Weld. “The library was a wonderful client to work with, and I can't wait to bring my family back to the library on a regular basis.”

The library is hoping for a soft opening Aug.15 or 12. Sach said the library may initially limit the number of people inside the facility with a reservation system.