Library just got cooler: West River Branch installs new A/C

The West River Branch of the Elyria Public Library System will keep patrons cool and comfortable this summer, as the system replaced the library's broken-down air-conditioning system on Monday. Cranes towered over the library on West River Road, removing the old air-conditioning system that stopped working last year, which forced the library system to install a temporary system that was much more expensive to operate. "The old units were original to our building, which was built in 1993 and opened in 1994, so we definitely got the full use out of them," said Jen Starkey, director of the Elyria Public Library. "They had started to have issues, we had hot spots and cold spots, and we had to close a few days last year when the whole system went down. "I can tell you the staff is really excited, and it will just make our space that much more comfortable and inviting." Starkey said the temporary system was not only more expensive to operate than the old one, but was not efficient enough to keep the entire library cool through the summer. "We actually had to close the building several days last summer because the air inside could not be kept at a comfortable temperature, and we were sorry to be unable to serve people in person on those days as a result," she said. "We also know that not all of our community members have reliable air conditioning at home, and people count on us to be a comfortable place where they are welcome to spend time during the heat of the day, staying cool and enjoying the technology, books and events the library offers." Luckily, the library system had already known that the system needed to be replaced, and was in the process of going out for bids to do just that when the system finally broke down. The whole project cost just over $1 million and was carried out by Wilkes and Company Plumbing and Heating of Huron. Starkey said that, critically, $300,000 of funding for the project was provided by the state's One-Time Strategic Community Investment Fund, thanks to the help of state Sen. Nathan Manning, R-North Ridgeville. The library was closed on Monday to allow for the new system to be installed, but the West River Branch will be back open, and noticeably cooler, today. Contact Owen MacMillan at (440) 329-7123 or omacmillan@chroniclet.com.