By Jessie Burchette

Salisbury Post

The nearly 20-year-old Rowan Public Library on Fisher Street is getting a bit of an upgrade — new carpet and an expanded computer lab for children.

As workers take out walls and expand the children’s area, the library is open for business.

And the library will also be open as a Charlotte floor covering company replaces carpet on the first floor.

Bonintz Flooring uses a device that can lift a section of shelving, making it possible to replace carpeting without massive moving of books and shelves.

Library staff is excited about the improvements.

“It’s the first time the carpet has been replaced since we opened in 1988,” said Jeff Hall, operations manager. “It’s been great carpet. It’s lasted nearly 20 years.”

Under the plan, carpet on the first floor and staircase will be replaced at a cost of $63,000. Replacement of carpet on the second floor and third floor will be done over the next two years.

The carpet replacement is scheduled to start in mid-February, about the same time county maintenance staff completes work on expansion of the children’s room.

Removing walls and taking space near the circulation desk, workmen are adding 400 square feet to the children’s area, allowing for the expansion of the computer lab for children.

Hall said they library plans to seek a state grant for $10,000 with a portion going to add new computers for children.

Hall said by removing walls, the children’s area is now more open and allows staff a better supervision of the entire area.

Hall praised the county maintenance staff. “They’ve done a great job. They’ve saved the county a lot of money.”

Initially, a contractor had priced the work at $15,000.

As the construction and carpeting projects go forward, Hall expects business as usual.

And the business is very good at the main library.

“Our numbers are still going up, our computer use is up, we still have lines waiting to use computers, our registration is up,” Hall said. “It’s great.”