Rosenberg Library repairs will boost morale

When Galveston’s Rosenberg Library opens Tuesday morning, you’ll see a change.

A temporary wall has divided the library, which has continued to serve the public while rebuilding from Hurricane Ike.

When you enter the front door off 23rd Street, you veer left, going back to the stacks. Behind the wall to the right, you hear saws and hammers, the sounds of recovery.

On Tuesday, workers and library users will switch sides. As you enter the building, you’ll move to the right — rather than the left — side of the temporary wall. A lot of the work is substantially done on the north side of the building.

If you live in Galveston and need a boost to your morale, you ought to go look.

Before we get too far, understand that work on this phase will continue for a while. This $1.8 million project, which is under budget and ahead of schedule, is supposed to be done by March 1.

But you can see the progress now.

The library long has been one of Galveston’s public treasures. After the storm, it was heartbreaking to see the damage.

The library’s staff and board did the right thing, using the setback as an opportunity to repair and rebuild ancient infrastructure. The downside was that a lot of that work — as important as it was — wasn’t very visible. It’s hard to get excited about new mechanical systems and air-conditioning units.

But the work you’ll be able see on the north side of the building Tuesday morning is visible. Workers are putting down quartersawed longleaf pine floors. They’re polishing marble hallways.

Remember the McCullough Room, a popular place for small meetings? Some of the library’s original wainscoting was rounded up and has been installed there.

A lot of the oak furniture has been restored. The new table lamps will have electrical outlets in their bases. You’ll be able to plug in a laptop.

There is a lot more going on, but you get the point: You really ought to drop by and see. It’ll lift your morale.

Of course, that temporary wall is still up. You’ll hear those saws and hammers for another three months or so.

But you can see where the project is going. You’ll like it.

Heber Taylor is editor of the Galveston County News.

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At A Glance

WHAT: Rosenberg Library

WHERE: 2310 Sealy St.

HOURS: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday. The library is planning to to add Monday hours after this round of renovations is done.