Today, October 26th, 2023, the City of Norwalk's Public Library announced that the first floor of the South Norwalk (SoNo) Library will be temporarily closed starting Tuesday, October 31st, for renovations. While the first floor is undergoing renovations, other areas in the SoNo Library branch will remain open, including the Community Room on the top level and the Children's Department on the lower level.
The Children's Department on the lower level will remain open and fully operational. The Community Room on the top level will remain open for library programs and public meetings.
"Our libraries are among our most treasured community assets, which is why we've invested American Rescue Plan Act funding into upgrading our SoNo Library’s lighting and furniture," said Mayor Rilling. "This is all part of the City of Norwalk's commitment to enhance our residents' overall quality of life by making our libraries more accessible, user-friendly and comfortable.”
"The temporary closure of the SoNo Library's first floor is due to renovations to improve lighting for better reading and provide upgrades to enhance our patrons' library experience," said Sherelle Harris, Norwalk Public Library Director. "The renovations include new furniture in sunlit areas to enhance natural lighting for readers and spaced-out seating in the computer area to promote privacy and enhance health and safety. We took into account the comments made during our 2019 community focus groups. We are very appreciative of Mayor Rilling and the Common Council's commitment to enhancing the library experience through approved funding for these upgrades. We also thank South Norwalk Electric and Water (SNEW) for their assistance with the lighting upgrades."
Renovations include new furniture and lighting to enhance visitors' experience and engagement within the SoNo Library branch. In 2022, the Common Council approved $91,000 of the City's American Rescue Plan Act funding for these renovations. The SoNo Library staff looks forward to welcoming the community back into the freshly renovated space sometime between the end of January and mid-February.
While these renovations are underway, the City of Norwalk encourages residents and visitors to access the Norwalk Public Library's main branch on 1 Belden Avenue. Hours of operation for the Norwalk Public Library's main branch are Monday, 10:00 AM – 5:30 PM; Tuesday, 10:00 AM – 5:30 PM; Wednesday, 10:00 AM – 8:00 PM; Thursday, 10:00 AM – 8:00 PM; Friday, 10:00 AM – 5:30 PM, Saturday 10:00 AM – 5:30 PM, and Sunday, 1:00 PM – 5:00 PM.
For more information or reference questions during this temporary closure, the community can contact the SoNo Library by calling 203.899.2790 ext. 15901 or emailing sono.branch@norwalkpl.org. Updates will be posted on the Norwalk Public Library website at http://norwalkpl.org.
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