The much-anticipated addition of a café at the Northland Public Library, currently under renovation, is coming closer to reality as requests for proposals have been advertised.
The café is included in the cost of the approximately $4 million renovation for the library, which is located on Cumberland Road in McCandless. There was a lot of interest in the entire project, but in particular the café space, said Nicholas Yon, communications director for the library.
“In response to overwhelming feedback from a pre-project community survey, the focal point of the lower-level expansion will be a café space,” Yon said. “A great deal of time was spent on all of the details of the project from the lens of how this will positively impact the patron experience at the library, from the new entry and lower-level lobby to the mezzanine and expanded teen space.”
A lot of focus was spent on the design of the café space and how it meshed with the overall library building as well as Northland’s mission and culture.
“We see the café space as an extension of the library and our ‘third-place’ ethos: a place for gathering, collaborating and engaging with library guests and our programs, materials and events. The café will positively impact the patron experience at the library and help to continue making the library a destination,” Yon said.
The search is on for a café vendor who shares this vision and will be a welcoming addition to the library, he said. Some RFP highlights include a “multi-use environment” with a cafe, featuring beverages and food items. The 463-square-foot café space will accommodate about 15 guests, in addition to adjacent seating options in the library.
The café will have 160 square feet of service space, electric and plumbing access, and sinks, counters and refrigeration space.
Interested parties can attend informational tours of Northland to learn more about the library and the project. The times include 7:30 a.m. and 2 p.m.Dec. 4 and at the same times Dec. 18.
RSVP is requested to library director Amy Steele at steelea@northlandlibrary.org. The proposed café space is under construction and not accessible as part of the tour.
Proposals are due at 5 p.m. Jan. 15, and vendor selection and notification is anticipated for March, with the cafe opening in June, per the RFP. Access to the proposal is at bit.ly/NorthlandCafeRFP.
Construction on the total project began in September and is expected to last until early summer.
“Thanks to some unseasonably warm weather, the construction is progressing nicely and on schedule, The construction team has been able to handle a lot of exterior work, including some concrete foundation and footer work ahead of winter,” Yon said.
Interior work completed to date includes the elimination of the spiral staircase. The lower-level lobby and entryway have progressed through the demolition phase, and exterior shoring, steel erection and then construction of the building extension/addition should begin in the coming weeks and months, Yon said.
The Northland Public Library construction project has been the recipient of several grants, including one awarded in October.
“With the advocacy and support of Sen. Lindsey Williams, Rep. Arvind Venkat and Rep. Emily Kinkead, Northland was recently awarded a $650,000 Multi-Purpose Community Facilities Program grant from the PA Broadband Authority,” Yon said.
Other renovation highlights include updated restroom facilities at the upper level that will be compliant with Americans With Disabilities Act Standards, new meeting space on the upper level with panoramic views, and enhanced checkout and service areas.
At the groundbreaking in September, Steele said the idea to renovate began in 2018, so this is a long time coming,
“We are thrilled beyond belief,” she said.
The library is committed to staying open during the whole project, with the lower-level main entrance and lobby closed. The children and teen service areas will be opened via a temporary relocated entrance. Upper-level entrance is open and handicap accessible.
Visit www.northlandlibrary.org for information on accessibility and construction updates.