HAGATNA, Guam – The Hagåtña library, which has been closed for several months, could open again in the next few weeks.
The library announced its closure on Sept. 29 because the air-conditioning units went down.
The library's temperature is hot and not suitable for patron and employees, said Joseph Cameron, Department of Chamorro Affairs president. Public libraries fall under oversight of Chamorro Affairs.
A few months later, the process to either replace the 70-ton air-conditioning chillers, or replace the entire system with multiple wall-mounted air-conditioning units, could soon come to a close.
The governor made an emergency declaration last month to procure the air-conditioning units, Cameron said.
General Services Agency procurement adviser Robert Kono said the agency issued the purchase orders recently and the vendors have 30 days to install the units.
While the Hagåtña public library remains shuttered, the Barrigada library is hosting activities and an influx of patrons from the Hagåtña library.
The Barrigada library, located next to the mayor's office, has been operating on extended hours from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Friday and Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Renovations
Meanwhile, the Hagåtña library is expected undergo renovations that will increase its size by at least 3,000 square feet.
In 2011, the library was awarded approximately $1.5 million for the expansion through Department of Interior Capital Improvement Project funding. The same grant provided funding to improve the Hagåtña marina and funding for a new public health laboratory.
The expansion would add two buildings to the library, Frank Aflague, program coordinator for the library, has said.
A two-story building would be connected to the existing facility, housing a children's library on the first floor and a processing area and staff lounge on the second floor.
Another building would stand alone, he added, to house an Internet cafe.
Documents state the expansion project should take about a year to complete.
Cameron said the contractor, SK Construction, is in the process of getting permits before it proceeds with construction. He said he's excited and happy the project is moving forward.
Cameron also said the contractor will lay the foundation as soon as the permitting is complete, which he hopes will be done soon.
"We're looking forward for it," Cameron said.
Other projects in Hagåtña also will get renovations soon.
Through Hotel Occupancy Tax Bond money, the Hagåtña pool and nearby tennis courts will be renovated.
Larry Toves, Guam Economic Development Authority Real Property Division manager, said the agency issued a notice of intent to award the contract to Maeda Pacific to start the $150,000 project.
The courts will be resurfaced and restriped.
An invitation to bid for the Hagåtña pool will be issued sometime this month, Toves said.
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Information from: Pacific Daily News: http://www.guampdn.com
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