Library re-opens January 10th, with patrons temporarily entering on Newman Avenue
Massanutten Regional Library’s Central location in downtown Harrisonburg will be closed to the public January 3-8, 2022 for painting of public spaces. The painting project, the first since the newest portion of the Central Library was opened in 2000, will be phased over several months in order to cause the least amount of disruption to patron use.
During Central’s January closure, MRL patrons are encouraged to use the regional system’s other six branches in Bridgewater, Broadway, Elkton, Grottoes, Luray, and Shenandoah for their in-person library needs. Central’s brief closure will not impact patron ability to download electronic media through MRL’s website.
When Central Library re-opens on Monday, January 10, 2022, Central’s Main Street entrance will be closed to the public as the painting project focuses on the atrium lobby entrance. Patrons will enter the library through the Newman Avenue entrance (the former entrance of what was formerly called Rockingham Public Library) which will bring them to the upper floor of the current Central library. MRL staff will be on hand to assist patrons with navigating the change until the atrium lobby phase is complete.
Signage at the Main Street entrance will direct patrons to continue north on Main Street and then turning at the first right at the Explore More Discovery Museum onto Newman Street. The Newman Street entrance is up a slight incline to the right, just before the Federal Street alley. Long-time Harrisonburg residents and library patrons may enjoy entering through this former entrance, which was opened on March 8, 1952 and was in use until the dedication of the new Central Library on Main Street in 2000.
As the project continues, MRL anticipates moving children’s Story Times to a location offsite. Additional details on location and timing of this change – as well as other changes that may occur in this renovation project will be posted to www.mrlib.org.
Please also note MRL’s holiday closings for all seven branches in the regional system are as follows:
December 24, 25, & 27, 2021 – CLOSED
January 1, 2022 – CLOSED.
