Patrons of the Union County Carnegie Library are already enjoying upgrades and looking forward to the completion of the current renovation project — a result of last year’s $140,000 grant from the Timken Foundation.

“We are very thankful for Timken and their donation,” said Union County Carnegie Library Interim Director Bev Weed, adding the funds are being put to good use.

The Timken family established the Timken Foundation — a private, family foundation — in 1934. Since then, the foundation has awarded more than $280 million in grants to public charities, including more than $1.1 million to Union County since 2005.

Grants are given to capital projects in Timken Company plant communities primarily in areas of education, health and hospitals, civic and community, arts and culture, human services and recreation.

The library’s renovation project includes renovations to reading areas, computing areas and book stacks.

“The old book stacks were unsafe,” Weed said.

Some new shelving has already been installed and there is more to come.

The periodicals/reading section has also been upgraded with more comfortable furniture. Tables and other upgrades to that area will soon be installed, as well.

The library will also be introducing a new teen/young adult section. Existing computers will be moved into that section as well as new computers. The teen section is easily identified by its walls of bright orange. After renovations are complete, small children, juveniles and teens will each have their own spaces in the library.

“The staff has been doing a great job,” Weed said. “It has taken the whole team to keep the library going.”

Three-quarters of the grant money has already been allocated. Electrical work — which will allow the moving of the computer section — is also scheduled for the near future.

The entire project is scheduled for completion in the fall.