A construction laborer works on the reconstruction of the entrance at the Mineral County Library. The library is using the money for the facelift left to them by longtime Hawthorne resident Norma Joyce Scott. (Stephen Tool photo)
The Mineral County Library is receiving a facelift to its front entrance thanks to a large bequest from Norma Joyce Scott. “We got this bequest about a year ago, and we’ve been talking about it continuously at our board meetings,” said Courtney Oberhansli, the library’s director.
“My board and I have been concerned about the entrance for some time. The landing is barely wide enough to get the door open and get a (wheel) chair in there,” Oberhansli added.
Oberhansli noted that patrons on scooters have issues with the entrance doors as well. “These are heavy doors. They were ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) compliant back in the day, but as things have progressed, they’ve become totally inadequate.”
The library staff worries because they know of several people who fell at the entrance. The library sees times, particularly during large elections, where over 800 people a day visit. Oberhansli said that the current entrance is not equipped to safely handle that many people.
Although the construction crew is concentrating on widening the landing and ramp, other plans are in the works. “This widening of the landing and ramp is just the first step. We’ll have new doors, too,” Oberhansli said.
Also included is a try at xeriscaping, which is a type of landscaping that uses little water irrigation. Eventual plans include having Mineral County Public Works paving the parking lot for better handicap access as well. “We really want to make the entrance a beautiful place.” Oberhansli said.
A covered picnic table where patrons can enjoy a meal or sit, and brass statues for the front are subjects of future grant proposals. Friends of the Library also plans to install a bench by the ramp for those waiting for bus or other transit “We’re trying to meet as many different needs as we can while beautifying the entrance,” Oberhansli said.
Oberhansli and the library’s board plan to installl a plaque or other memorial to commemorate Scott’s funding of the renovation: “What we’re doing is something that will make a big difference, something nice that Joyce could be very proud of,” Oberhansli said.
Completion of most of the project is slated for early to mid-August.
