Wellman library construction behind schedule

WELLMAN — Renovations aiming to double the square footage of the Wellman-Scofield Public Library are taking longer than expected, as the mid-November expected completion date blows by with staff and books still housed in the Driscoll Building downtown.

Library staff said they expected the process to wrap up within a year when they received a $632,000 grant from the Washington County Riverboat Foundation last year. In a blog post on Nov. 15, they said that timeline had changed.

“The process of construction and remodeling is not always a straight forward one, and we have experienced several delays in our progress,” the blog post said. “While we do not have a definitive date for our completion, we’re holding hope for the end of this year. We will be sure to give more updates when we have them.”

The library moved into the Driscoll Building in mid-May, and remains there while crews renovate the original space attached to city hall.

While staff are ready to return, blog posts say the library has thrived at its temporary location with the same programming and a slightly reduced collection available for checkout.

“While we are operating in a smaller space with a reduced collection, we are thankful we have been able to be open during this transition time and still serving our community,” the blog post said. “We have enjoyed seeing and greeting those who pass by, as well as decorating our storefront window.”

The expansion will push the library into an adjacent property, which required careful engineering and several safety precautions, according to former Library Director Erin Campbell.

“There’s mold, and it’s just been neglected for too long,” she said in an interview last year. “There’s water coming up from the floor. And we can’t just break a door into the wall … the floor is not level to our floor, it would be a foot drop, and it’s a load-bearing wall so we can’t just cut into it.”

Comments: Kalen.McCain@southeastiowaunion.com