San Rafael, CA – There is great news for patrons of the Novato Library: The building is getting a new heating, ventilation and air conditioning system. However, installation will result in a branch closure for about seven weeks through the holiday season.
The Novato Library is closing December 1 and should reopen sometime after January 20. The Marin County Board of Supervisors authorized the temporary closure during its November 13 meeting. The
Marin County Free Library (MCFL) branch will be closed from Saturday, December 1, through at least Sunday, January 20, 2019. If the $682,000 project requires more time, MCFL will notify the Board of Supervisors and the public as quickly as possible.
MCFL Director Sara Jones said there will be no fines on library materials for the duration of the construction project. Material due dates will be extended until January 22. Books and other borrowed materials can be returned as usual to the external book drop locations outside the Novato branch, but patrons should note that construction materials and vehicles will take up most of the parking lot.
The South Novato Library in the Hamilton neighborhood will extend its normal hours to accommodate Novato patrons. The hours will be 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, and noon to 5 p.m. Sundays.
Funding is coming from the library’s Measure A proceeds. Measure A’s nine-year renewal at $49 per parcel annually was approved by voters in June 2014 and raises about $2.5 million per year, with 20 percent going toward the remodeling and facility upgrades to library branches. Seniors and lower-income families may file for a parcel tax exemption.
The Novato branch at 1720 Novato Boulevard was built in 1971. The old heating, ventilating and air conditioning unit was installed in 2000 and has required constant maintenance. Damon Hill, MCFL’s Library Services Manager, said simply replacing the units would result in a continuation of ongoing problems with air flow, so a more extensive remodeling was required.
“The heating and cooling system has never effectively worked there because of challenges with the original design and modifications that had to be made over the years,” Hill said. “As part of the maintenance upgrade plan of the library, this project will address one of the major complaints we receive from our visitors. Our most loyal patrons are really going to notice a difference when this is completed because the air will move around the building much better and the units will be more efficient and effective. We want patrons to be comfortable and relaxed when they visit our branches.”
Learn more about MCFL branches at www.marinlibrary.org, and follow library news on its Facebook and Twitter accounts.