January 2014

CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS · AVONDALE BRANCH PROJECT

Members of the community cut the ribbon on the Avondale Branch Library. Pictured, from left, are Hamilton County Commissioner Greg Hartman, the Eva Jane Romaine Coombe Director of the Library Kim Fender, Library customer Carltina Johnson, Library Trustee Vice President Paul Sittenfeld, Trustee Secretary Elizabeth LaMacchia, Trustee Alan Zaring IV, Cincinnati Mayor John Cranley, Trustee President Ross Wright, Avondale Branch Manager Cate Malone, Trustee Robert Hendon, Trustee William Moran, Hamilton County Commissioner Chris Monzel, and Cincinnati Councilman Wendell Young.
Kim Fender, the Eva Jane Romaine Coombe Director of the Library, speaks during the grand opening of the Avondale Branch.
Library Board of Trustees President Ross Wright accepts a flag which was flown over the Capitol from Alyssa Heim, Deputy District Director for Rep. Steve Chabot.
The South Avondale School Choir ─ along with Benjamin Grabell, Principal Michael Allison and the Rev. Todd O’Neal ─ pose with Mayor John Cranley following the Avondale grand opening ceremony.
Residents of Avondale check out the new computer stations and shelving during the grand opening of the Avondale Branch.
New computer stations in the video and music section
Storytime and reading area in the children’s section
New adult reading area
Rookwood plaque at the new entrance commemorating Avondale's 100th anniversary
New computer area for children
New lighting over the front desk
Original entrance to the Carnegie-built Avondale Branch Library
New entrance to the Avondale Branch
The renovations are now complete! The Branch celebrated with a Grand Opening ceremony on Tuesday, May 20.
The facade on the new addition is nearing completion!
Workers install the new TV screen in the programming room
Work continues on the new addition facade
New light fixture being installed above the circulation desk
New carpeting in one of the reading rooms!
New carpeting in the programming room
The new addition facade begins to take shape!
The new staff work room
Prep work for the new carpet
View of the back of the new addition
Close up of the design work on the Rookwood tile that will go over the new entrance doorway
The back of the new addition
The doorway that will be graced with the new Rookwood tile design design
Interior wall of the addition
The addition framing takes shape
Getting the Adult Reading Room ready for a fresh coat of paint
The addition framing takes shape
The interior of the branch has been spiffed up with new coat of paint
The interior of the branch has been spiffed up with new coat of paint
Pouring the concrete slab for the foundation
The elevator core is going up
The foundation walls have been poured and the elevator core is going up
The addition walls begin to take shape
Material for the addition walls
Work on the forms that support the foundation is underway
A Rookwood tile design over the doorway to the new addition will unify the old and new entrances to the building.
A Rookwood tile design over the doorway to the new addition will unify the old and new entrances to the building.
The addition walls begin to take shape
Pouring the concrete for the new elevator shaft
Work on the new elevator shaft begins
Construction on the renovation is underway!
Work on the new elevator shaft begins
Construction on the renovation is underway!
A groundbreaking ceremony to mark the start of the renovation project was held at the branch on Tuesday, October 8.
The groundbreaking ceremony included remarks from Mayor Mark Mallory and Board of Trustees President William J. Moran
Postcard of the Avondale Branch, circa 1920-1930's.
The Avondale Branch is one of the nine area libraries in Hamilton County built with funds provided by the Andrew Carnegie Foundation. The Branch opened in March, 1913.
The $1.2 million renovation project will make the branch accessible to everyone by adding an alternative entrance, elevator, and two new restrooms that will remove physical barriers to library service.
Additional enhancements include new carpeting and lighting, an upgraded HVAC system, improved Internet connectivity, reconfigured service desk, and self-check stations.
Avondale Branch staff, circa 1940
Children's Room in the Avondale Branch, circa 1913-1919
Customers take advantage of using some of the Library’s computers.
Detail of the decorative Rookwood tile entry
Storytime with Cate Malone, the Avondale Branch manager