Howard Township Library users who have come to browse through books may have noticed something different about the building at 2341 Yankee St. in Niles.
The weathered carpets, once marked with water stains and the unfortunate dropping of a punch bowl, have disappeared. In its place are brand new blue carpets, freshly painted walls and the ambience of a totally refreshed space.
Branch Manager Toni Reynolds said for people who visit the library, the reaction is nearly instantaneous when they walk through the door.
“The public’s reaction has been great,” Reynolds said. “Everyone has come in and said ‘Oh, it smells good and looks so good.’”
In preparation for the changes, Director of the Libraries Jennifer Ray said library staff hauled all the books into storage pods and closed down Howard Library for one week in mid-October.
In that short time, new flooring was installed, including the carpets and new vinyl added around the checkout desk. A fresh coat of paint was applied to the inside walls and repairs were made to the dry wall.
The difference, said Friends of Library member Larry Sehy, is a space where more people will want to visit or settle down in a comfy chair and get lost in a book for long hours.
The renovations, which cost about $21,000 have been partially funded through a mail in fundraiser and through the Friends of the Library, a nonprofit and group of volunteers that support the Howard Library. Donations to support the refresher project will be accepted through Dec. 31. For every dollar donated, Sehy, of Niles will be matching the funds for up to $5,000.
“This is a way for library members to show love for the library,” Sehy said. “We are also trying to say to the community, ‘here is a resource and here is a chance for you to say thank you.’”
Sehy requested the library also create a dedicated reading corner to honor one of his friends, Richard Perry, who recently passed away.
Perry, who Sehy knew while living in New Jersey, was a teacher who was very passionate about inspiring children to read.
In Perry’s honor, the space has been dubbed Richard’s Reading Corner and contains a comfy stuffed chair and ample reading light.
Reynolds said the corner is a work in progress and they are looking at furnishing the corner with some art work as well. She said she hopes it encourages parents to sit down and take a moment to read with their children.
“[It is] just a comforting area that draws parents to sit and read with children,” Reynolds said.
The refresher project was long overdue. When asked about the last time the library had been able to complete a project like this, Reynolds had to think back to when she first started working at the library, when it had just opened in the early 2000s.
Funds are still being raised to cover the cost of the project. Reynolds and Ray encourage the community to continue to support their local library and contribute what they can.
The response so far has made Ray feel proud of her community.
“I’m awed at the response,” Ray said.
So far they have received about 45 responses and raised more than $1,000. The deadline for fundraising is Dec. 31.
To honor and celebrate those who donated to the library, a special recognition ceremony will take place from 1 to 4 p.m. Jan. 14. There will be refreshments available. All donors will have their names engraved into a plaque.