Remodeling the Library

ZANESVILLE, Ohio – The John McIntire Library has served the community for many decades, while continually making changes to keep up with the times.

Muskingum County Library System Executive Director Stacey Russell talked about the library’s current renovations and where they are at during the process.

“So we are in the middle of renovations right now of John McIntire Library,” Russell said. “They are necessary because we’ve not had a renovation of this magnitude for over 33 years and a lot has changed in the world. When I first started at the library over 30-years-ago we didn’t have hardly any computers. There wasn’t a need for extra outlets for people to plug in and charge devices. The way we served the community, we had VHS tapes then, we have DVDs now. Just a lot of changes in the last 33 years.”

Renovations will also include more meeting rooms as well as an area that allows a more hands on approach to teaching STEM and STEAM principles to children. 

“So the total project is about $9.3 Million dollars,” Russell said. “We raised over $3 Million dollars from local foundations and community members. That’s very exciting, it’s kind of unheard of in a public entity to have a third of your project sponsored not necessarily through grants but through local foundations and donations. And then the board of trustees has set aside $6 Million dollars of our capital funding for that also.”

Main floor renovations are expected to be finished before June 2026. However the finances fall about $275,000 short for completion of the Carnegie Wing’s second floor, which will house the art gallery and office spaces.