T-L File Photo Puskarich Public Library Director Sandi Thompson points to some of the library's renovation plans. The library is involved in a $1.1 million renovation project and will unveil the new facility during its grand reopening April 7.

CADIZ — The $1.1 million Puskarich Public Library renovation project that began last summer is nearing completion with a grand reopening of the new and improved facility set for April 7.

The library has been involved in a renovation project since June that will allow the building to be more handicap accessible and feature new amenities. The renovations are the first set of upgrades the facility has received since its opening in 1986.

Library Director Sandi Thompson said she is excited for the public to see and utilize all of the library’s new amenities including a new front entrance, a local history section, makerspace, an expanded children’s department, a new teen section, private study rooms, genealogy area, recording studio and more.

“It’s taken a little while, but I think everyone will be very pleased with the new services and renovations,” she said. “There are so many changes that have happened in that space that it actually looks like an entirely new library when you come in.”

Prior to the renovations, the library reached out to residents in the community through focus groups to obtain feedback and insights into the project. Thompson said some residents specified that improved technology and children’s spaces were important while others wanted an improved local history area.

“The resulting renovation has taken all of these factors into consideration as well making the design work well within the confines of COVID-19 and improving accessibility,” she said.

Thompson said the renovations also include a handicap accessible front entrance, new handicap parking spaces and new restrooms that are Americans with Disabilities Act compliant, making everything more accessible.

Thompson said there is such a vast amount of new services and amenities set to be unveiled that she could not pick her favorite.

“There’s so much we’ve built into this renovation, I think it’s just hard to choose one area that’s my favorite because I have several,” she said.

The two-story library has remained open to the public throughout the renovation process. Only the upper level of the facility has been under construction while the bottom level remains open to patrons. For the last eight months, the library’s former meeting room has become the main library room where patrons have access to the facility, its computers, books and DVDs.

The renovations originally were set to be completed in November, however due to the COVID-19 pandemic some of the project’s materials were delayed and construction was temporarily put on hold. Officials also made changes to the original plans to allow for COVID-19 safety precautions including allowing additional space between computer tables, reducing the number of collaborative spaces and making them semi-private, installing hospital-grade furniture that is easily cleaned, and installing automatic doors to reduce touching of shared spaces.

Thompson said the majority of the renovations are complete with just a few items left to finish. Once the construction is completed, the next step is to move the library’s collection into the newly renovated area, she said.

The grand reopening is set to take place during National Library Week, Thompson said. The open house will be held throughout the day to allow for additional patrons to attend and ensure a safe environment, she added.

The library is currently open from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday. Thompson said the hours will be extended after the library reopens the upper level next month.