Mobile Public Library Ben May Main Library Expansion Project

A Ribbon Cutting Ceremony and Dedication of The Ben May Main Library took place on May 31, 2007 before a large audience of City, County and State Officials, donors, supporters, library employees, community leaders and most important, Library Customers.
Ben May Main Library

The Ben May Main Library is now open!

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Ribbon Cutting Phase I of the construction included demolishing the old "annex" that housed the elevator and restrooms, a two story 22,000 sq. ft. addition, improved drainage, a new roof, exterior stucco repair on the 1928 building, and the windows restoration.

Phase II entailed all the interior work - restoring the original finishes in the 1928 building, carpet, furnishings, shelving, computers, etc.

At left: The Ribbon Cutting Ceremony, May 31, 2007.
Mayor Sam Jones 500 attendees
Mayor Sam Jones
500 supporters, donors and
community members attend the ceremony.

Pictures of Our Progress

May/June 2005 | Aug/Sept 2005 | Nov/Dec 2005 | Jan/Feb 2006 | Mar/April 2006 | May/June 2006 | December 2006 | March 2007




Groundbreaking, April 27, 2005
demolition restoring the old windows
Demolition of the "Old Annex" Makes Way
for the Expansion , May 6, 2005		 Restoring the Old Windows, June 27, 2005
Foundation Columns
Foundation Underway for the Addition,
September 16, 2005		 Support Columns are Poured,
August 23, 2005
First Floor Slab Second Floor
First Floor Slab, November 14, 2005 The Second Floor, December 7, 2005
Precast Precast
Installing Precast Concrete Walls,
January 25, 2006		 Installing Precast Concrete Cornices,
January 25, 2006
Precast Bernheim Hall
Installing the Final Precast Walls, January 27, 2006 Bernheim Hall Stage Opened Up Again,
February 14, 2006
Repairing Cracks Plaza Demolition
Repairing the Cracks in the Stucco,
March 20, 2006		 Improving Drainage in the Plaza, April 19, 2006
Old and New New Roof
A View through the Addition into the Balcony,
the Old Windows will Stay! April 26, 2006		 The New Roof, April 26, 2006
Plaza Restored New Sign
The Plaza Restored, May 15, 2006 The New Sign, June 29, 2006
Government St. View The New Entance
The View from Government St., June 29, 2006 The New Entrance, June 29, 2006
Ducts Plastering
First Floor Ductwork at the Ready, Dec. 15, 2006 Repairing the Old Plaster, Dec. 15, 2006
Bernheim Hall The New Entance
Fresh Plaster and New Colors Revealed, Dec. 15, 2006 Prepping Walls for Faux Finishing, Dec. 15, 2006
Balcony Non-fiction
View of Entrance from 2nd Floor, Dec. 15, 2006 Second Floor, Old & New, Dec. 15, 2006
1st floor Coffeebar
First Floor and New Entrance Take Shape, Mar.5, 2007 The New Coffee Bar is Fitted, Mar.5, 2007
Childrens' room The New Entance
The Childrens' Room Will Be Bright and Airy, Mar.5, 2007 New Paint and Lighting Reflects The Original, Mar.5, 2007
Entrance Balcony Non-fiction Area
The Balcony Overlooking the Entrance, Mar.5, 2007 The Second Floor Non-Fiction Area, Mar.5, 2007

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