Emptied out - and ready for work to begin!

The past few weeks have been a flurry of activity as everything needed to be removed in preparation for demolition, scheduled to begin next week. Professional movers packed up materials, furniture and equipment that are being kept and reused. Our maintenance crew worked hard to clear out the rest. Here are some pictures of the building completely empty!

Looking into former adult side

Standing where DVDs used to be, looking into magazines and nonfiction

Standing where fiction shelving used to be, looking at front desk and computer area

Standing where nonfiction shelving used to be, looking towards front door

View from the circulation desk into the children's area

View from children's area

View from former biography section in children's

Project update

Since closing to the public on September 1, staff has been hard at work cleaning out the branch. EVERYTHING accumulated over the past few decades needed to be dealt with! Furniture, equipment and items for storage needed to be inventoried and clearly labeled. Phase 2 of the cleanout will begin next week, when a professional moving company specializing in libraries and schools will begin packing and labeling the collection before moving it to a storage facility.


As a reminder, both of Allwood's outdoor book return boxes are located in the parking lot entrance and will be emptied and brought to the Main Library for processing on a regular basis.

Repair work update

We anticipate being open on Friday, August 19 during our regular hours of 10:00 - 6:00. Please call 973-471-0555 or check back on Friday to verify before you arrive. We will have a backlog of materials that will need to be discharged so please be patient as we make our way through!  Thank you for your cooperation and understanding.

Repair closure update

The Allwood Branch will be closed on Thursday, August 18 as work on the sewer lines continues.  Please check back for updates.

Brief closure for repairs

Due to sewer line repair work that will take place this week, the Allwood Branch will be closed on Wednesday, August 17 and possibly Thursday, August 18 as water and restrooms will not be available. Please call or visit the Main Library if you need immediate assistance. Book boxes will remain open for returns. Please check back for updates.

Construction begins!

Construction of the quiet study room addition has begun.  The construction fence has been put up and heavy equipment has been brought onto the site.  The patio is in the process of being demolished.  As you will notice if you visit the branch (and we are open!!!), parking is now very limited.  Work will continue on the outside throughout the entire construction project.

Rearranging the space

Floor plan courtesy of Arcari + Iovino Architects

 

The current Allwood Branch layout is one big open space.  As we are in the midst of our busiest time of the year, it can feel quite hectic as users walk around unseparated space.  The new layout will provide more definition for children, computer users, and those who need quiet study and work space.