New energy efficient and seismically resilient windows are replacing the old 1970s aluminum storefront windows. (Courtesy/City of Salem)
The Salem Public Library is undergoing a seismic upgrade that’s set to be complete by next summer.
The construction is intended to make the building safer in the event of an earthquake and make the building more accessible. Voters passed an $18.6 million bond in 2017 to pay for the upgrades.
The library has been at its temporary location at 1400 Broadway St. N.E. since the spring. That location is closed to the public.
The City of Salem provided Salem Reporter photos of the ongoing construction which shows new windows, tiling and solar panels. The Salem Public Library has also been posting “Construction Chapters” on Facebook to show renderings of the future library.
-Saphara Harrell
The Third Floor balcony offers an overview of work underway on the main floor of the Library. (Courtesy/City of Salem)
A photo of the library before the construction. (Courtesy/ City of Salem)
A worker stands atop a scissor lift to access new Main Floor lighting. (Courtesy/ City of Salem)
Once covered by dingy ceiling panels, the original waffle-patterned ceiling structure is being revealed and spotlighted as an architectural feature in the new design. (Courtesy/City of Salem)
Tiling of downstairs bathrooms is part of the finish work on the Library’s ground floor. Painting is also underway. (Courtesy/City of Salem)
Solar panels on the Library roof will be generating energy in the renovated building. (Courtesy/City of Salem)
