BPL will be closed for one day on Fri, Aug 2 to ensure safety of patrons as operations return to newly renovated areas near the main lobby. All library services will resume Saturday, August 3.
Bentonville Public Library (BPL) will be closed for one (1) day on Friday, August 2 to ensure safety of patrons as BPL staff and other City of Bentonville departments move checkout and information services and staff workroom back to the newly renovated areas near the main lobby. All library services will resume Saturday, August 3.
The downtown building will be closed, but BPL at the Community Center will remain open. The status of downtown services on August 2 includes:
Lockers are accessible, but staff may not fulfill holds on Friday, August 2.
Phones may not be answered on Friday, August 2.
Email may not be answered until Monday, August 5.
All other online services will be available.
After the two-week closure at the end of May, BPL Downtown’s checkout and information services were temporarily relocated to the former reference desk near the Coughlin Reading Hearth, and the staff workroom was temporarily relocated to the Haney Family Conference Room. Now that renovations are complete, services will return to the main entry.
Renovations to the front desk include a more welcoming structure, with staff immediately visible from the front door. Renovations also include new countertops and a new façade to the desk to ensure consistency with the aesthetics in the expansion to be open this fall. Staff will also have more storage and workspace due to the moving of the book drop to the former Rotary Conference Room.
Mayor Stephanie Orman approved the August 2 closure after Library Director Hadi Dudley voiced concerns about patron safety. “We hate closing even for a day, especially so soon after our two-week closure in May, but we want to ensure our patrons are safe and our staff can dedicate the necessary time to get services in order for patrons, “said Dudley.
Additional changes this month include the removal of the temporary wall in the main entry. This wall was erected to protect patrons and staff as Flintco removed the brick wall and expanded the hall to match the main thoroughfare of the expansion. Once the expansion and renovations are complete this winter, the hallway will stretch from the front door to the north wall of the new Children’s Library, tying the current library and the expansion together more seamlessly. The floor of the entry hall will have partial temporary flooring until floors are poured in the expansion so that the design can be carried through, further connecting the renovated space with the current space.
Another multi-week closure can be expected this fall as collections, services, and offices are moved to the new Youth and Community spaces.
For more information about the Bentonville Public Library expansion, please visit the Bentonville Bond Extension page for BPL.
Bentonville Public Library is located just 3 blocks south of the Downtown Square, at 405 S. Main Street in Bentonville, Arkansas. Facility amenities include an engaging adult collection with private study rooms, vibrant children's and teen spaces, community meeting rooms, genealogy research center and café.
The Bentonville Public Library's mission is to engage our community, encourage discovery and promote literacy by offering lifelong learning opportunities.
405 S. Main Street, Bentonville, AR 72712
Just 3 Blocks South of the Downtown Square
library@bentonvillear.com | 479-271-3192
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