COLUMBIANA Expansion of library to begin

The expansion will take nearly a year.
COLUMBIANA -- A $1 million expansion of the Columbiana Public Library will begin this week.
Library Director Carol Cobbs said library patrons and others traveling the North Middle Street area should be alert for construction equipment. She said work will begin at the rear of the building today or Wednesday.
Meanwhile, library circulation continues to increase, so the additional space is needed, Cobbs said.
She said the library has seen a steady increase in circulation the past several years, and the staff is excited to see construction begin.
Cobbs said, however, that the expansion will take nearly a year, so the staff is discussing ways to best use the available space until then.
Jim Santini Builders Inc. of Washingtonville is the general contractor.
The total square footage of the addition will be 6,588 square feet, with adult and children's areas and the community room expanded. Most of the addition will be to the east side of the library, she said.
Earlier this year, the board bought properties adjacent to the library on North Middle and West Salem streets. The homes on those lots will be moved or torn down.
Voters approved an issue in May 2001 that will allow the library to borrow $1 million through the sale of bonds for the project.
The property purchase was paid with money the board has saved over the years and with donations from the estates of patrons Edna Calvin and William Millen, Cobbs said.