Chapel Hill Library to Create Outside Working Space

Visitors to the Chapel Hill Public Library will likely see some construction being completed over the next few weeks.

The library is undergoing renovations to its back terrace. A translucent awning will be installed across most of the concrete area outside of meetings rooms A and B. It will protect new furniture and tables available for patrons to use year-round for work, reading and an event space.

Library director Susan Brown says this decision came after a long period of polling visitors.

“We started this almost two years ago,” she says. “It’s been a very long process. We queried users and stakeholders and asked what they wanted the space to be and how we could make it more usable. The number one response was to provide shade, so we looked at umbrellas and shade sails, but settled on a permanent awning.”

Brown says the project is being funded from the Cornelia Spencer Love Trust, which is managed by the Chapel Hill Public Library Foundation. The trust started from a donation of a long-time trustee for the library and has paid for big library projects.

While this project is more redecoration than renovation, Brown says visitors who spend time near the terrace should expect some interruptions to the library’s quiet atmosphere.

“If you’re using the meeting rooms or are out back in the next week or two,” Brown says, “you’re going to hear some noise and see some vehicles. There’s going to be a little bit of disruption, but the result is going to be an all-weather area to sit and work.”

The library is planning a ribbon-cutting ceremony in the fall to celebrate opening of the new space. Brown says patrons can expect the event around late October.