Library Coping With Parking Problems
July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.
Several initiatives are under way to help people cope with the lack of parking at Warsaw Community Public Library now that its 64-space parking lot is no longer available.
The first signs of the long-awaited expansion project appeared over the weekend when a chain link fence was erected around the parking lot.
With the lot cordoned off, library patrons will have to seek out parking opportunities further from the building.
That's no small task, considering the lot is used by an estimated 3,600 patrons every week and 36 library employees.
Currently, the library has about 10 spaces available north of the building for up to 30 minutes per visit. Another 10 parking spaces north of the old parking lot will become available by early spring.
"When we looked at this project, we knew that would be the hardest part," said library director Ann Zydek.
To alleviate the problems, the library has taken several steps. These include:
• Using brochures to alert patrons to available parking south of the Shell station before 3 p.m. and use of the Lake City Bank parking lot after 5:30 p.m.
• Offering more services via the phone and computer. Patrons may call ahead and reserve an item or learn if it is available.
• - Further use of the homebound program, which began about a year ago and offers delivery of specific items to the homes of handicapped patrons.
Zydek said she hopes patrons will use the facility in quicker intervals and plan ahead. An additional worker and phone line have been added in hopes patrons will call ahead to see if materials are available.
Patrons also need to be aware of other construction-related changes.
The library has shut off its main entrance on the building's west side and is using the entrance facing Center Street on the south side.
The book drop has also been moved to the building's south side.
The library will lose its handicapped entrance in February until the project is completed in February 1998. Currently, the main floor of the library is accessible to the handicapped.
The $4 million project will be anything but simple.
As workers advance toward doubling the library's size, they will oversee several phases and several accompanying complications for patrons and employees.
The first step is removal of the old parking surface, which eventually will become the new portion of the library. After that is completed in about six months, the priority will shift toward renovating the existing building.
By February, much of the office space in the basement will be lost as construction on the new and expanded mechanical room begins. That will further cramp office space upstairs, Zydek said.
Zydek expects use of the library to fall, but is unsure what impact construction will have. However, she overheard one patron suggest she'll return after construction is complete. [[In-content Ad]]
Latest News
E-Editions
Several initiatives are under way to help people cope with the lack of parking at Warsaw Community Public Library now that its 64-space parking lot is no longer available.
The first signs of the long-awaited expansion project appeared over the weekend when a chain link fence was erected around the parking lot.
With the lot cordoned off, library patrons will have to seek out parking opportunities further from the building.
That's no small task, considering the lot is used by an estimated 3,600 patrons every week and 36 library employees.
Currently, the library has about 10 spaces available north of the building for up to 30 minutes per visit. Another 10 parking spaces north of the old parking lot will become available by early spring.
"When we looked at this project, we knew that would be the hardest part," said library director Ann Zydek.
To alleviate the problems, the library has taken several steps. These include:
• Using brochures to alert patrons to available parking south of the Shell station before 3 p.m. and use of the Lake City Bank parking lot after 5:30 p.m.
• Offering more services via the phone and computer. Patrons may call ahead and reserve an item or learn if it is available.
• - Further use of the homebound program, which began about a year ago and offers delivery of specific items to the homes of handicapped patrons.
Zydek said she hopes patrons will use the facility in quicker intervals and plan ahead. An additional worker and phone line have been added in hopes patrons will call ahead to see if materials are available.
Patrons also need to be aware of other construction-related changes.
The library has shut off its main entrance on the building's west side and is using the entrance facing Center Street on the south side.
The book drop has also been moved to the building's south side.
The library will lose its handicapped entrance in February until the project is completed in February 1998. Currently, the main floor of the library is accessible to the handicapped.
The $4 million project will be anything but simple.
As workers advance toward doubling the library's size, they will oversee several phases and several accompanying complications for patrons and employees.
The first step is removal of the old parking surface, which eventually will become the new portion of the library. After that is completed in about six months, the priority will shift toward renovating the existing building.
By February, much of the office space in the basement will be lost as construction on the new and expanded mechanical room begins. That will further cramp office space upstairs, Zydek said.
Zydek expects use of the library to fall, but is unsure what impact construction will have. However, she overheard one patron suggest she'll return after construction is complete. [[In-content Ad]]