South Fayette library to remain closed longer than expected
South Fayette Township Library on Millers Run Road will now remain closed past its previously anticipated mid-September reopening.
The refurbishing and reconfiguring project of the space to make it more comfortable and user-friendly for patrons will most likely last into late September or early October.
“It kind of worked out as perfectly as it could with concerns to timing,” said library director Cheryl Napsha. “Our summer reading club finished in early August, and typically families take vacations before their kids go back to school. Then, the first couple weeks of school, the kids just start getting their groove back, so we don’t start our programs right away.”
The library, which shares space with the township municipal offices and police department, closed July 27 when heavy rains caused the drain in one of the library’s restrooms to back up and flow into the library a few days prior.
“There is no significant cost involved with this project,” said Andrea Iglar, township community development director. “They are taking it as an opportunity to make improvements to the library that they wanted to be made, anyway.”
The rest of the building has remained open since the incident, and public works officials took preventative measures to ensure the flooding wouldn’t recur.
The library will have new flooring, which is covered by insurance, along with expanded seating and updated spaces for children, teens and adults. Those newly created spaces will allow for the back of the library to be devoted to children. The library will also focus on new releases and other popular material rather than keep its current 20,000-item collection.
“We are ecstatic to have this opportunity,” said Napsha. “It’s one of the few good things that can come out of a flood. Having to take out all the flooring gave us a chance to reconfigure the space. The way we are reconfiguring, it makes a lot more sense.”
In the interim, the library is directing patrons to Bridgeville Public Library, which has had an operating agreement with South Fayette since 2013. The Bridgeville location will also hold many of the programs until South Fayette renovations are complete.
For updated information, call 412-221-3737 or visit www.southfayettelibrary.org.