PCPL working to finish Imagination Portal before celebration

With Halloween just under a week away, the Putnam County Public Library staff is working hard to prepare its new youth services area, the Imagination Portal, for its grand opening celebration prior to the Halloween festivities.

Library Director Grier Carson came before the Putnam County Library Board to give brief update on the status of Imagination Portal renovations during its monthly meeting on Wednesday. Carson noted that the focal point of the space, a giant poplar tree, was recently delivered and installed.

"After a year's worth of planning, discussing and dreaming, we've entered the final stage of renovation with the Imagination Portal. All cabinetry and flooring has been successfully installed, the painting is complete and the incredibly life­like poplar tree is in place," Carson explained. "We saved a bunch of money by unloading it from the truck ourselves."

The large-scale tree, which patrons will be able to climb inside, may have taken several days to install, but the work was well worth it.

"It's really, really fabulous," Carson said. "I look at this tree almost like an investment. It's not just icing on the cake or eye candy -- it's something that will be a legitimate attraction for people. They'll think of this library and that tree and I think that is worth a lot."

Carson also noted that the cabinets and the kitchen area are pretty much complete. However, the majority of the furniture is not expected to arrive until the day before Halloween.

"I'm not going to get into too many details about the hiccups that we've had," Carson said with a smile.

"Small details such as the highly ­unique front doors, the Imagination Portal sign itself, and the trim around the book nook benches remain to be finished. A few discrepancies regarding the placement and installation of the original shelving have presented a minor setback, but we've resolved the issue and are expecting to complete that portion of the project this week. It will get done and it will be fabulous."

Not wanting to go into too many details, it was noted that shelving has been one of the major hiccups that staff members have seen in completing the new area.

"It was a little more complicated than we thought it was going to be," Carson said. "Youth Services Manager Mollie (Beaumont) and her volunteers have done a lot of work in moving stuff around and trying to prepare for whatever the next stage is going to be. It's been a big headache for all of them. I thank them for their patience."

Carson also added that Technology Integrator and Media Specialist Michael Acsbock will soon begin the technology installation, which was scheduled for Friday, but will likely be completed on Monday or Tuesday.

"Once those things are in place we can put counsels, Apple TVs and all the rest of the fun stuff up ourselves," Carson said. "We'll probably shoot for youth staff training first and then we'll work with everyone else. That's our goal."

Carson also added that the library received 15 entries for its Imagination Portal logo contest. As one of the judges, he noted that he was highly impressed with all the work that had come in.

"It was really cool," Carson said. "I was really impressed."

As of now, a new youth services logo has not officially been chosen. However, that is expected to be done within the coming weeks. The winner of the contest will have his or her design featured on several promotional materials for the library. Runners-up will also have their work featured on Imagination Portal bookmarks.

The grand opening celebration for the new area will take place on Friday at 3:30 p.m. Carson and Beaumont will make a presentation as well as do a demo or two of the new area before letting the children loose to enjoy the space.

Carson also gave a brief update about the website, which is nearly complete. Carson announced that he is hopeful that the new site is expected to launch within the coming days.

"We feel strongly that the new site is not only a dramatic improvement over the current site but also a more user­ friendly experience for patrons and staff alike," Carson noted. "Moreover, this new site will allow PCPL to push and manage new content with ease and will ultimately play a major role in publicizing the library's programs, projects and services."