Frequently Asked Questions (continued)

Is the library getting larger?
The Youth Services area will be increasing by 1,700 square feet, but the building itself will not be expanded.

Am I still able to check out books, movies, music and other items?
Yes! The library will remain open as much as possible, and library staff will be on hand to check out your items throughout the renovation process. For a short period of 3 or 4 days this summer, DVDs, music CDs and books in the 700s area won't be available for checkout as they move to their new location. 

Is parking affected?
During the construction period, free 2-hour parking is available to library customers in the lot conveniently located just across Dewey Street. Parking in the lower lot beneath the building won't be available until after construction is completed.

Are there summer library programs for children?
Kids and teens are invited to sign up for the summer library program  "Kid-struction Zone: Readers at Work." The program is similar to previous years. The exception to this year's program is that the Wednesday performer and Thursday demonstration programs have been CANCELED due to lack of space. Storytimes, My Book Cafe book discussions, Pizza and Pages teen book discussions, and the school-age drop-in craft program will still be held this summer.  The Summer Library Program flyer is available here or from Youth Services (currently located in the Eau Claire Room on the library's lower level.

Are there storytimes for children this summer?
Yes! Storytimes will be held from June 15 through July 23. Storytimes will be held for babies ages 15 to 23 months, two-and three-year-olds, and preschool age children. Check out the Youth Services web page or the library's online Events Calendar for specific dates and times.

Where will I find children's books and videos during this time? May I check them out?
The Youth Services division will be temporarily housed in the Eau Claire Room on the library's lower level until the renovation is complete. Many of the juvenile materials will be in the Eau Claire Room and will be available for check out. Some of the materials not housed in the Eau Claire Room may be retrievable from storage and available for checkout upon request -- it's best if you call Youth Services in advance (715-839-5007). Children's materials MUST be checked out in the Eau Claire Room. Returns and fines will continue to be handled only at Circulation Services on the first floor. Children's items placed on hold through the MORE catalog system will be available to pick up at Circulation Services on the first floor.

Am I still able to use the Internet and other programs on the library's computers?
Yes! The computers in the Adult and Young Adult areas will remain available throughout the construction phase. Computers for children will be located on the library's lower level.

Am I able to use the microfilm readers during the renovation?
The renovation project includes the building of a brand new microform room! It will be located on the 1st floor, close to Information & Reference for ready access to library research staff. E-mail This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or phone 715-839-5004 for the latest information on availability.

May I continue to place holds and pick them up at the library?
Yes! Even though the work area that processes your hold requests is one of the targeted construction areas, we'll still continue business as usual by moving those services to a temporary location. You won't notice the difference, though: your holds will be filled as always, and you may pick them up at Circulation Services as you've done in the past.

How do I return my books?
You may return your library books, movies, CDs and other items in all the usual places:  inside the library at or near the check out desk, curbside bookdrops in front of the library, and to the bright yellow library drop boxes located around the city of Eau Claire.

Is there a quiet place for study?
Throughout the construction period, there will be large areas of the library that will undergo no significant change. One good place to check for a quiet study area would be on the second floor near the nonfiction books. You might also check with staff at Information & Reference for their recommendations at any given time.

Where are the newspapers and magazines?
Newspapers and magazines will continue to be located on the second floor, but the shelving will be reconfigured. Magazines will continue to be shelved as they have been in the past, with the current issue facing outward and the back issues stored directly behind. Current issues of newspapers will continue to be on display in the clear plexiglass holders, and back issues will now be shelved nearby.

Where did the DVDs go? Why?
Because the Youth Services area is expanding, some of the items from the first floor need to be relocated. Sometime this summer, the DVDs will move to their new home on the second floor, conveniently located near the stairway and elevator. During the move, for a short period of 3 to 4 days, DVDs and music CDs will be unavailable for checkout.  Availability will resume as soon as the move is complete. 

Will art exhibits be on display during the renovation? 
As part of the renovation, the art gallery is getting a facelift during the month of June. The summer show, "Story Lines: Narrative and Sequential Images," is scheduled to open July 8.  The exhibit features graphic novel, comic book, and other illustrative artwork created by Erik Christenson, Steve Kurth, Beth Peck, Anders Shafer, Mary Melcher and Andrew Ritchie. Ellen Mahaffy will display digital photography in the early fall, and the late fall exhibit will feature work by David Brock.

With children's materials being on the lower level throughout the renovation and DVDs moving to the second floor, will the elevator be upgraded to travel faster between floors?
Nothing new will be happening with the elevator.

May I donate books for the Friends' book sale?
During the renovation, space for sorting and storing donated books and media will be virtually non-existent. For this reason, we ask that you refrain from bringing your donated items to the library until after the remodeling is complete. We anticipate that we'll be able to accept donations of gently used books, DVDs, CDs, magazines and other items by late December or early January.

Will there be more parking when the remodeling is complete?
During the remodeling project, FREE 2-hour parking is available to library customers in the lot just across the street at 7 South Dewey. There will be 23 stalls marked for library customer use. When remodeling is complete, parking near the library will be available in the area under the library, on nearby streets and in lots close to the library, as it was prior to the remodeling project.

How will I know about the latest changes and whether they'll affect me?
Every effort will be made to keep the web site up to date with information about the latest developments. Please check these pages often. In addition, you are always welcome to call or e-mail our helpful Information & Reference staff with your specific questions. Contact them at 715-839-5004 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Who's paying for this? Are any tax dollars being used to fund the project?
You and your friends and neighbors have given generously to this project -- more than a million dollars has been pledged. The remaining costs will be paid for from monies set aside by the library from its previous budgets and approved for this use by the City Council.

May I still contribute to the remodeling project?
We appreciate your generosity and willingness to support the library and its projects. If you'd like to contribute specifically to this remodeling project, please make your check payable to the "Eau Claire Community Foundation - Library Capital Campaign." You may give it to a staff member at Information & Reference on your next visit to the library or mail it to the Eau Claire Community Foundation, 306 South Barstow St., Suite 104, Eau Claire, WI 54701.

Are you hiring locally to do the work?
The library is working with the city and following their standard procedures for soliciting quotes and bids which give local businesses equal opportunity.

Is there anything I can do to help the library during the renovation?
Probably the best thing you can do to help out during the renovation is to remain flexible and patient. Thank you for asking! Undoubtedly there will be days when access to materials and staff will be inconvenient, and we'll appreciate your willingness to "go with the flow." As always, your questions and comments are welcome.

How long will the construction take?
It's expected that most of the project will be completed by late fall of this year.