Courtesy of Tusick & Associates Architects, Inc.
The last year has been eventful for the Dormont Library and there are more changes on the horizon. This summer, repairs to the library’ s front façade and entry are being completed in order to fix damage that occurred last year when a vehicle struck the building. Fortunately, the library was closed at the time of the crash so no one was injured.“ We were very grateful for that,” director Cindy D’ Agostino says.
It took several months to complete insurance paperwork, contact an architect and hire a contractor. The repairs began in June and are set to be completed by early August. The repairs cost about $ 85,000 and the library has remained open throughout the construction. The work is occurring during the summer reading program, which is one of the library’ s busiest times. D’ Agostino says the construction workers, from Advanced Builders Inc., are very conscientious and try to minimize noise as much as possible.
“ We have adapted,” she says.
Instead of just repairing the damage, the library decided to improve the entryway by adding new automatic doors to make the building more accessible. The existing doors were too narrow so the old windows damaged in the crash will be replaced with a new entryway. The library received a $ 12,000 community development block grant to make the changes.
“ This will allow patrons to enter and exit more freely,” D’ Agostino says.
Later this year, improvements will also be made to the building’ s rear entrance and the alley behind the library. When the library was built in 1962, a large mound of fill was left behind the building.
“ Each year the dirt erodes and the area is less structurally sound,” D’ Agostino explains.
The library received a $ 250,000 grant from the Allegheny County Redevelopment Authority to build a retaining wall to shore up the alley behind the library. Plans also call for building a handicapped-accessible ramp at the library’ s rear emergency exit. An environmental study is being conducted and D’ Agostino says she hopes work will begin later this year. The project will cost about $ 300,000 and the library will pay for the $ 50,000 not covered by the grant. D’ Agostino notes that State Senator Wayne Fontana helped the library secure the grant.
“ Without Senator Fontana I don’ t think it would have come together,” she says.
While the current building is from the 1960s, the library was founded in 1936 and will celebrate its 80th anniversary later this year. D’ Agostino says she hopes all the repairs will be completed in time for a ribbon-cutting ceremony during the celebration. Because the Dormont Library offers a variety of programming for children and adults, it has become more of a community center.
“ We have a lot to offer here and we are glad to see people using our resources,” D’ Agostino says.“ This is a lot of progress for the betterment of the library.” n
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