OXFORD – The Oxford Memorial Library closed Monday for renovations and will remain closed until Tuesday, Jan. 22 as contractors begin ripping up rugs in order to sand and finish the wood floors underneath.
The renovations are part of a long string of modifications to the 200-year-old building, which ensued in 2005 shortly after fundraising for the project began. “We are calling it ‘Phase Four B’,” said Library Director Nancy Wilcox. “The biggest reason for closing the library this week is so we can redo the original flooring, but a lot of other stuff has been done recently.” Most notably the ceiling lights are in the process of being replaced with ones more aesthetically in tune with the look of the old building. Paint has also been aptly applied to the ceiling.
“We are hoping this will wrap up the renovations,” said Wilcox. Many of the phases of the renovation, which has spanned for approximately eight years, drastically altered segments of the ancient building. During phase one, the young adult section was gutted and a window and window seat restored.
The building received two entirely new additions. Construction on the first addition, dubbed phase two, took place in 2007 and resulted in a spacious office at the back of the building for the head librarian. “When books would come in, I used to have to run back and forth to sort them. Now, I have the room to do it in my office,” Wilcox said.
The second addition to the library, completed during phase three, is a roomy community center and wheelchair accessible bathroom. The community center also has its own separate entrance at the rear of the library, allowing organizations to sign up and use it even when the library is closed.
“It’s been quite popular with the kid/family events, and it gets quite a bit of use from organizations, such as the Oxford Garden Club, the Concerned Citizens, as well as Oxford youth groups, and the Red Cross,” said Wilcox.
During phase four, the main part of the library was renovated. Insulation was added in the attic and crawl spaces. The basement floor was also dug out and cemented over, adding much needed space to the cramped subterranean room and a strong vapor barrier to better protect the books from damaging moisture.
“The contractors found some pretty neat artifacts when they were working in the basement and attic,” said Wilcox. Some of the artifacts included an Oxford theater program dating from the 1800s as well as some old books, an old shoe, and some antique bottles. One bottle still had an intact doctor’s label on it. The artifacts were put on display for some time, but have since been stored away.
“It has been a community project from the start,” said library board member Bill Troxell. All of the project’s funding has come from the community, with over 200 people contributing financially along side with donations from businesses and library construction grants, he said. “We have had great contractors. It was a five-year project, which has turned into an eight or nine-year one, but that is OK because the community has been really happy with the outcome.” The board of trustees worked together well, pitching in whenever possible and remaining positive throughout the duration of the construction, said Troxell. Gene Rood, a civil engineer and a member of Oxford’s Waste Water Commission, donated his time to oversee construction in conjunction with Troxell.
“It has been a valuable undertaking for everyone and people are proud of their involvement,” Troxell said.