Jefferson residents might notice some construction going on at the Jefferson Public Library.

Library Director Jane Millard says they are replacing their wheelchair lift.  The lift was originally installed in 1991.  Millard points out that due to the age of the equipment, replacement parts that are no longer available and repairs that are near to impossible, it needed to be replaced.  The lift provides access to all three levels of the library and is required by the State Library of Iowa to be accredited for handicapped accessibility.  Other requirements include ramps, public restrooms and automatic doors-all of which the library has.

The total cost of the project is $32,365.  The library has raised $19,210 through donations and fundraisers including a $9,500 grant from the Greene County Community Foundation last March.  The City agreed to pay the remaining balance.  The City contracted with Access Elevator and Lifts, Incorporated in Des Moines and a local contractor, Jon Acton Construction to complete the project.

Millard states that while construction is taking place, the library’s basement meeting room will be unavailable and the area around the lift in the children’s department will be blocked off.  The project is expected to take three weeks to complete.

Millard would like to thank all who donated to the project.  They include:  Friends of the Jefferson Public Library, Greene County Community Foundation, Greene County Genealogical Society, Morning Star Lodge #159, Jefferson Rotary Club, Alliant Energy, Jefferson Telecom, Iowa Network Services, Midland Power Cooperative, Central Iowa Power Cooperative and Basin Electric.