(KNZA)--A major renovation project is set to begin Tuesday ( January 21) at the Morrill Public Library in Hiawatha.

AHRS Construction, of Bern, will serve as contractor on the about $700,000 project. Work is to begin on the lower level and continue for about 7 months.

As part of the project, existing space will be revamped, ADA and other improvements made, a new HVAC system installed along with a de-humidification system.

Funding for the project will come from the capital improvement fund, revenue from a farm that was dedicated to the library and some investments.

In preparation for the renovation project, the Library will be closed Friday through Monday, January 17-20. Staff will be moving items from the lower level to storage during that time.

The library says they are looking for volunteers from 9 a.m to 5 pm Friday through Monday to help pack and move boxes, as well as clean and prepare the storage space for larger furniture pieces.

Although construction will begin on the lower level, the library said in a release on its website that the back parking lot and south entrance will continue to be accessible for patrons needing to use the elevator to get to the second floor.

Most of the children’s book collection will be moved to storage while the lower level is being worked on, but a small selection of the books will be kept at the library upstairs and continue to be available for checkout. The library staff encourages patrons to utilize their Inter-Library Loan service to checkout any books unavailable during construction.

At this time, the library says it will not be able to reserve the meeting room for patron use until further notice. Library staff will be contacting anyone who currently has a reservation to discuss other options. Additionally, the library will not be holding Culinary Quests, Discovery classes, After School is Cool, or Studio Tuesdays during the renovation process. Wednesday Morning Book Club will continue to meet monthly upstairs in the back of the stacks.

Funding for the renovation project will come from the capital improvement fund, revenue from a farm that was dedicated to the library and some investments.