Homewood Public Library patrons will need to rely on staff for the next few weeks as books and stacks are relocated to prepare for new eco-friendly carpeting being installed starting Aug. 28
The new carpeting will be shades of gray with some accent colors. The FORT teen center will be a deeper gray with blue accent.
Scott Hallett is managing the preparation of the space for Diverzify, a commercial flooring company that will install the carpeting. Hallett has worked on previous carpet installations at Homewood and other libraries. He will be directing the move in sections as crews remove and replace the carpeting. The work and carpeting will be billed at about $190,000, according to Colleen Waltman, the library’s executive director.
gray carpet with blue accents. (Marilyn Thomas/H-F Chronicle)
Installing eco-friendly carpeting will mean the manufacturer designated it the lowest emitting carpet, adhesive and cushion products on the market meeting standards set by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Manufacturers are moving away from chemicals, such as styrene and butadiene used in synthetic rubber, that can cause respiratory irritants, skin irritations and allergies.
The library has been in its building at 17919 Dixie Highway for 33 years. The library board previously approved replacing the carpeting and an interior painting job.
Waltman said the library board is expected to next take action on the heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) needs.
“Unfortunately, there have been long standing issues with the HVAC system going back many years,” Waltman said. “We have replaced compressors and various parts and have frequent service calls due to various issues with pieces of the current system. It has been recommended by our current HVAC service provider that we replace the entire system.”
As part of its budgeting, the library collects a tax for maintenance at .02% of the value of all taxable property in the district.
