Medina Library Tilework Update and Virginia Wheeler Martin Family History and Learning Center Construction Underway

May 2019

The Medina Library exterior tile replacement project is due for final completion mid-May. The only area of the library still under construction is the main entrance and rotunda surrounding it.

On March 18, the MCDL Board of Trustees approved a settlement amount of $650,000 from all parties involved in the Medina Tile Project litigation. Meanwhile, interior construction in what is currently the Medina Library Reference Department and will become the Virginia Wheeler Martin Family History and Learning Center began April 29.

Wheeler-Martin, a former Medina County resident, left a $2.5 million donation to the Medina Library to build the center. The Franklin Sylvester Genealogy and Local History collection is now located in the 1907 meeting room.

“The 1907 room is in the original, 112-year-old section of the library. It’s appropriate that during the construction it houses the local history collection.” says Lauren Kuntzman, Family History and Learning Center Manager.

The project is projected to last 14-18 weeks. The Virginia Wheeler Martin Family History and Learning Center will feature an enhanced local history and genealogy collection, a Digital Conversion area for transferring video and audio into digital formats, Medina County’s first public Maker Space featuring a 3D printer, large format printer, sewing machines and much more. The space will also gain a new computer lab, study room and dividable meeting room to accommodate one large or two smaller groups. The library’s non-fiction area and public computers will return to the space as well.

Sue Schuld, Technology Manager for MCDL says, “During construction the most popular services will continue, including public computers, laptop computers for in-library use, access to the non-fiction collection, printing, and free faxing and scanning, they will just be in different locations on the second floor."

Questions & comments are welcome. Please contact a supervisor or Community Engagement at sabol@mcdl.info.