The Evergreen library will get a facelift starting in August, a project that has been 12 years in the making.

The Jefferson County Public Library board of directors will look at the final plans and pricing for the $3.5 million project at its June 15 meeting, according to Executive Director Donna Walker.

“A lot of resources are going up there,” Walker said. “We are excited about this design. We began planning to redesign the Evergreen Library in 2011, and we’re going to get it done.”

The pandemic delayed plans to remodel the building, which will not be expanded as part of the remodel. The 17,000-square-foot building was constructed in 1993.

The library will be closed during construction, and library officials are looking at other options to provide temporary library service, Walker said.

One of the redesign’s priorities includes keeping the quiet reading room with the fireplace in the back of the building the same.

The entry will be opened up, and staff space will be reconfigured with a smaller service desk that faces the doors, kiosks for self-checkout for patrons, a work room and break room.

An open teen area will be in the southeast corner of the building, and the children’s area will be reconfigured with larger spaces for story times and other children’s activities.

The community room will be enlarged with the ability to split it into two spaces as needed, and additional small-group study rooms will be in the northeast corner of the building.

In keeping with the community’s wishes, the redesign will be in a traditional style that is warm, cozy, welcoming, light, natural and rustic.