Lynnfield Library closing for new desks

LYNNFIELD-The Lynnfield Public Library will temporarily close its doors for just under a week while crews work on some highly anticipated upgrades.From Monday, Sept. 22 through Saturday, Sept. 27, members of the Department of Public Works will remove the bulky, 20-something-year-old Circulation and Reference desks and install new oak desks that offer more convenience and space, said Interim Library Director Nancy Ryan.?We?re so excited about this,” said Ryan. “It?s going to make us that much more efficient and we?ll be able to provide much better service to our patrons.”The new desks were designed by the private vendor Library Bureau. It will cost the town roughly $25,000 for the project, the discounted price for putting it out to bid. Ryan said the money will come directly from the town?s capital budget.?The ones we are getting are custom designed,” she said.One of the library?s main concerns was not only more storage space, but also more accessibility for those using wheelchairs.?The final panel (of the reference desk) will be lowered so someone in a wheelchair can pull up to that portion of the desk and do their business right from their wheelchair,” said Ryan.Staff will have to saw the current desks into small pieces in order to remove them from the library. Ryan estimates the removal process alone to take about a day and a half. Electrical rewiring will also have to be done in some areas.?It?s a complicated process,” she said. “It?s absolutely essential that (visitors) are protected?Our only solution was to close the library.”During the brief closure, patrons will not be able to pick up or drop off any materials, nor will they be charged any late fees. They are encouraged to use other community libraries in the meantime. Any orders that were placed will be held in the library until its reopening on Monday, Sept. 29 at 9 a.m., unless a specialized pick-up at a nearby library is arranged.