Library Ready to Book It Back to Refreshed Digs
big upgrades to L.E. Phillips Memorial Public Library nearly completed
V1 Staff |
After more than a year of renovation and operating out of a temporary location, the L.E. Phillips Memorial Public Library in downtown Eau Claire will reopen soon.
The library announced in July that it would be back in business at 400 Eau Claire St. in earlier September following an $18.5 million renovation and addition project that started in May 2021. Highlights of the renovation include the addition of a third floor, which will include a new 200-seat community room and an all-new Innovation Lab with classroom-style spaces intended for a variety of events, workshops, and gatherings. Other changes include updated infrastructure for heating and cooling, the creation of expanded kids areas, a dedicated teen space, a tween space, additional meeting and study rooms, and much more.
The project was funded by $11.5 million from the city of Eau Claire and $7 million from private donations.
In preparation of the move back to its permanent home, the library will close its temporary location, 2725 Mall Drive, after Aug. 6. Digital library services will pause briefly Aug. 9-10, and a “soft” reopening will occur in early September. Grand reopening events will kick offer Sept. 26.
Learn more online at www.ecpubliclibrary.info.
