MANSFIELD — The Ontario Branch of the Mansfield/Richland County Public Library (M/RCPL) will be closed beginning April 22 for a renovation expected to take one year to complete.
Since the opening of the Ontario location in 2001, the branch has become one of the most heavily used branches in the nine-branch library system.
When planning the renovation, the library has considered the public’s ideas provided in October 2022 and the architect and designers’ professional suggestions. At the January 16, 2024, Board of Trustees meeting, a renovation project was approved for a maximum of $3.2 million in construction and architecture improvements. The renovation project will be paid through the library’s existing operating budget.
During the last 23 years, the community’s needs have evolved, and a redesign of the interior space is necessary to keep up with those needs. The renovated space will provide a new entrance with immediate access to parking, double the current meeting room space, a maker space, improved lighting, additional accessibility, a dedicated teen space, and more.
“We are excited to get this project started and grow with the Ontario community,” said Chris May, library director. “Thank you to the Richland Mall for working with us to provide a quality temporary space while construction is ongoing.
“We look forward to providing an efficient, user-friendly branch with increased meeting room access, a new teen space, 24/7 holds access, and more in the future,” he said. “Thank you for supporting your Library as we move forward with this and other exciting projects!”
The current location will close on April 22, 2024, and reopen at the temporary location on May 6, 2024, at the south end of the Richland Mall at 2900 Richland Mall, Mansfield, Ohio 44906. The temporary Ontario branch is expected to open in early April and will be open Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, 9 AM-7 PM, Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday 9 AM-5 PM, and Sunday 1 PM-5 PM.
For customer convenience, curbside service will also be available at the mall location at Avita South, the southwest entrance of the mall, where a car-side, after-hours book drop will also be available.
The temporary location will offer 90% of the current Ontario branch collection, a full staff, public computers, a full programming schedule, and wifi.
During the two-week closure, library customers are encouraged to use one of our other eight locations, a Bookmobile stop, or the 24/7 digital services offered on the library’s website mrcpl.org. Customers can also follow along with the progress of the Ontario Library renovation on the library’s website, where updates and photos will be available throughout the project.