Bentonville Public Library to Close for Four Weeks from September 29 Through October 27 to Move into New Spaces
Bentonville, AR – August 28, 2024. Bentonville Public Library (BPL) will be closed for four weeks from September 29 through October 27 to move into the expansion and reorganize existing spaces.
The BPL expansion project, which has been ongoing for three and a half years, is coming to a close. BPL leadership expects keys to be handed over by mid-October and is intricately coordinating the following:
- New shelving will be delivered, assembled, and installed in expansion and Read It Again Bookstore
- Library staff will move Children's and Teen Collections to their new locations
- Shelving will be relocated from former Children’s Library to Adult Collection and Read It Again Bookstore
- Library staff will reorganize and move Adult collections
- Furniture and technology will be delivered and installed
- New fish tank will be installed in Children's Library
- Artwork will be installed on new gallery wall and other areas
- Concrete finish work, landscaping, and outdoor fixture installation will be finalized
- Library staff will organize inventory and supplies and install tech and tools in new Makerspace
- Old reference desk and interior round structures in the current Children’s Library will be demolished
- Parking lot will be restriped
- Safety measures will be installed to protect patrons as renovations on existing spaces continue
Almost every item in the BPL collection—over 150,000 books, Library of Things items, Book Club Kits, American Girl Dolls, tools and technology, board games, audiobooks—will be relocated to ensure better access to our patrons. (DVD and periodicals will remain in the same locations.)
Services will be limited as follows:
- All holds and locker services will be suspended until November 4. Last Call for holds and locker services is Tuesday, Sep 24 at 12:00 pm.
- Last call for interlibrary library loan requests is September 3. (We will continue to process interlibrary loans going to other libraries.)
- Book returns at BPL Downtown drive-through and BPL Community will be open. Patrons are encouraged to return items throughout the closure. (IMPORTANT: You may NOT use the book drops to return Library of Things kits and items, Library for Life kits, or board games.)
- Due dates scheduled within the four-week closure will be rescheduled for after October 27.
- Overdue fees will not accrue during the closure.
- Read It Again Bookstore will resume book donations after the closure.
- Phones will be down. Library staff will not be accessible through phone during this time.
- Email correspondence will be limited and delayed.
- All BPL programs are canceled during this time except for our Storytime In the Community Events on select Fridays.
- All BPL Community Center operations will be available except for locker holds. This includes access to the BPL CC collection, self-checkout, and book return.
- All online services will be available except as noted above.
The expansion and reorganized collection will be available to patrons on Monday, October 28 during normal business hours. A series of ribbon cuttings and dedication ceremonies will be held throughout the day on October 30.
Events and programming have been limited during construction but will resume upon opening. Keep an eye on our Events for more information.
Renovations of the current Children’s Library into a Community Hub and Business Center and Book Club Lounge will continue throughout the end of the year. For more information, please visit the BPL Bond Page.
###
Bentonville Public Library is a department of the City of Bentonville. Its mission is to engage our community, encourage discovery, and promote literacy by offering lifelong learning opportunities. Learn more at www.bentonvillelibrary.org.
BPL’s expansion is comprised of a 22,975 square-foot addition, with renovation of existing spaces and outdoor amenities planned. Included in the design is an expanded youth services area, with dedicated storytime and craft rooms, a new and larger community meeting room, a makerspace and digital lab, as well as more spaces for patrons to connect, collaborate or formally meet.
The project budget is $16.75MM and is being funded through a $4.5MM City bond extension and private fundraising efforts totaling over $10.8MM.
BPL’s expansion team is comprised of MSR Design, Hight Jackson and Flintco, along with other regional firms and contractors. Bentonville Public Library broke ground on April 27th and will celebrate its grand opening this fall.
Contact: Tara Cloud Clark - Marketing Specialist Phone: 479-326-6560
Date: August 28, 2024 Email: taclark@bentonvillear.com