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LAFAYETTE, La. (AP) — Renovations of the main library branch in downtown Lafayette and construction of a new library on La Neuville Road may be complete in time for both to open by year's end.
Sona Dombourian, public libraries director, tells The Advocate (http://bit.ly/1gT9kR1 ) work at the three-story, main library is expected to be complete by June, but the process of moving furniture, equipment and the branch's extensive inventory to reopen for patrons will take a few months.
A major overhaul of the library involved a modernization of the building, which was built about 40 years ago, Dombourian said.
"We've made it more modern and responsive to the needs of our users," she said.
Library patrons might not even recognize the new downtown branch when it reopens.
The renovation will add new study rooms.
The work began with crews gutting the old downtown branch, leaving a blank slate of support columns and interior walls.
The main library closed in April 2011 to begin the process of clearing out the library and relocating to a former storefront on Jefferson Street during the renovation.
Construction of the new East Regional branch began in October, but because of this winter's freezes, the foundation could not be poured and cured until February, Dombourian said.
Despite the delay, construction could be complete by late August, she said.
Because it's a smaller facility —15,000 square feet and a single level — the move-in will take less time than the three-story downtown branch, she added.
The new East Regional branch will serve the booming areas of Youngsville and Broussard.
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Information from: The Advocate, http://theadvocate.com
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