Morrison Regional Library is getting a big upgrade but it will have to close for a year

Morrison Regional Library in the Morrocroft area is getting set for an $8 million renovation that will make the entrance much more inviting, open up more public areas and make the library easier to navigate. The drawback: The library will be closed for more than a year — from spring 2016 to fall 2017.

Expected closing date is May 1.

Here’s how it looks now:

Here’s how it will look (this is a rear view; check out the outdoor space):

Fast facts

• The current library building has been in use for 25 years.
• After renovation, the library will have a bigger children’s area, more program areas, more community rooms and group study areas, a self-service cafe, a “creative maker-space” and outdoor areas.
• Besides the outdoor portico on the bottom level, there will be an outdoor balcony on the upper level as well.
• Books will be moved toward the middle and open meeting spaces will be on the outside by the windows.
• Total square footage will go from about 24,108 to about 26,711.

• Beyond the design changes, there will also be fixes to the library’s electrical, HVAC, fire protection and telecommunications infrastructure.
• The default library for people who usually come here will be South County Library, which is 5 miles away but feels a lot farther because of traffic.
• There will be children’s storytimes held at Carmel Presbyterian Church and Sharon Presbyterian Church, both of which are nearby.
• This is the first of four major library renovations. The next ones will be at West Boulevard, North County and South County libraries.