FORKS — The future of the Forks Library is now in the hands of the North Olympic Library System board after the final $7,000 in community donations sought for the project was received Wednesday morning.
“We’re tickled pink,” said Ellen Matheny, treasurer of Friends of the Forks Library and lead organizer for fundraising efforts.
The donation came from Forks Outfitters on behalf of the sporting goods store’s employees and families.
“We feel at Forks Outfitters that the library is very important to the community, from kids to all walks of life,” Forks Outfitters owner Bruce Paul said.
“It’s a great resource, and we want to see it improved.”
The donation, which brings funds raised through the community up to the predetermined goal of $175,000, comes as the estimated total cost for the library renovation has increased $60,000, from $775,000 to $835,000.
Library System Director Paula Barnes will go before the system’s board of trustees at 5 p.m. today to request that the project be put out for bid once the necessary bid documents are complete.
The trustees will meet at the Port Angeles Library, 2210 S. Peabody St.
Barnes said she will ask the board to approve the use of $100,500 in unexpected 2012 revenue received from the harvest and sale of timber products in Clallam County to cover the most recent renovation cost estimate.
Timber revenue
Barnes said the library already had set aside about $40,000 in 2012 timber revenue to put toward the renovation before last year’s actual revenue number had come in.
If approved, the updated timber revenue will bring the library’s total contribution to the renovation to $660,000, or 79 percent of the total estimated cost.
The new project total came from a more thorough investigation of the building and what will need to be replaced as part of the renovation, Barnes explained.
“We went through the building with an even finer-toothed comb,” Barnes said.
Additional needs included more insulation and the replacement of more acoustic ceiling tiles than originally thought, Barnes said.
The renovation, which will require the library’s closure for six to 12 months, will include a replacement of the roof, electrical and ventilation systems.
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Reporter Jeremy Schwartz can be reached at 360-452-2345, ext. 5074, or at jschwartz@peninsuladailynews.com.
