The Books are Coming, The Books are Coming! - Denmark Update

 Submitted by Sarah Reynolds

Thirty-five to forty palettes of them. Fifteen hundred boxes. Oh - and the 200 more lining the walls of HQ. That’s a lot of books. And we will be ready! HUGE shout-out to Jeff and the entire Materials Department for their work on this project. This fantastic team has been working for over a year to select, order, invoice, catalog, track, box, label, and organize everything from processing to delivery dates. There would be a very empty library without their efforts. 

The months and months of planning, designing, book selection, and construction are coming together, and the Denmark Library will open before you know it. A few more things need to happen before opening day, but we are well on our way to a fifth FCPL branch.

A full update complete with fabulous photos is on the agenda for Staff Day, and we don’t want to spoil the presentation. So here are a few logistical highlights:

10/14/24

• Shelving Install begins (starting from Children’s side)
• AMH Installation begins

10/21/24

• Furniture Installation Begins

10/28/24

• Denmark Staff report onsite
• Book Delivery 1

11/1/24

• Book Delivery 2

Once the books arrive, DE staff will begin sorting, organizing, shelving, and labeling the collection, with the much-appreciated assistance of Materials Staff, specially recruited volunteers, and staff-recommended VolunTEENS. We expect the process to take about two weeks, from opening the first box to inventory completion.

Amid all this unpacking, the Denmark team will focus on: training, setting up the building for optimal use for patrons and staff, designing procedures for new services like the drive-up window, completing programs, and, of course, designing endcap displays and bulletin boards!

Plans for the Grand Opening Celebration are well underway. It will include creative activity stations for all ages throughout the branch, a visit from Pete the Cat, musical performances from Denmark High School students and local musician Jennifer Daniels, a Puppetpalooza Story Time Extravaganza, and a magical performance from Arthur Atsma. Attendees can enjoy Once Upon a Winter Day by Liza Woodruff in the story stroll, explore the Bookworm Garden, and learn about the beautiful, innovative spaces Denmark Library offers by completing a fun BINGO challenge.

We promise to keep everyone up-to-date as plan progress and dates are finalized.