ORPL announces holiday schedule changes, renovation projects

(ORPL press release) The Oak Ridge Public Library will be closed for the Christmas holidays from Dec. 23 through Dec. 26, and for the New Year’s holiday from Dec. 31 to Jan. 2.

During the time around the holidays, the library will be preparing for some much-needed renovations. The restrooms will be completely rebuilt to better modernize our facilities and to better serve our users. Our Children’s Room, much loved and well-used, will be getting an all-new look that will help everyone discover new ways to read, learn, and play.

“Over the few days immediately before Christmas and in between Christmas and New Year’s, the Library building will be closed to public traffic. However, patrons will be able to check out materials through our curbside service,” Oak Ridge Public Library Director Julie Forkner said. “Mobile printing will be available, and library staff will be available via phone and email. Patrons needing a wireless connection can place a Hotspot on hold with their library card or use the library’s public Wi-Fi, which extends to the plaza and into the library’s parking lot.”

Curbside service will run from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Dec. 21, 22, 27, 28, 29, and 30. After placing a hold on books, movies, music, or Wi-Fi hotspots through the library’s catalog, patrons will receive a text message, email, or phone call letting them know their materials are available.

Patrons will park in front of the library’s outdoor book drop, call the posted phone number and Library staff will check out and deliver items. Any items placed on hold after 9 a.m. will be available for pick up the following day.

“While the library is closed to the public, multiple renovations will be taking place in the building,” said Forkner. “We will be installing a new circulation desk and preparing for the Children’s Room and bathroom renovations. When the library reopens on January 3rd, the Children’s Room will be temporarily relocated into the Library Auditorium.”

All regularly scheduled library programs will continue as planned.

Although the planned renovations will temporarily cause some services to be relocated, the library plans to provide our regular level of service during all renovations. Once the renovations are complete, the library’s bathrooms will not only be new, but ADA-compliant as well. The Children’s Room will be redesigned with new shelving, new play spaces, and fresh carpeting.

For more information, call the library at (865) 425-3455,visit www.ORPL.org or follow the library on

Facebook and Twitter: @OakRidgePubLib.