Library moves into historic Lockport building

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Updated: March 2, 2012 8:14AM

LOCKPORT — The White Oak Library District is beginning library hours in the Gaylord Building on Wednesday morning.

The district has moved to the Gaylord Building, 200 W. Eighth St., temporarily after the nearby downtown library branch closed last week for a long-term renovation project.

The library’s normal hours will continue at the temporary location: 10 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, and 1 to 5 p.m. Sundays.

The circulation and adult departments will be on the second floor, and the children’s department will be on the third floor, said Scott Pointon, director of the White Oak Library District.

The now-closed downtown branch, 121 E. Eighth St., will undergo renovation and expansion work until May 2013. In addition to the renovation of the entire building, the project will replace the one-story western wing with a two-story addition.

In the meantime, library patrons will visit the Gaylord Building, a landmark since 1838 and one of downtown Lockport’s many historic assets.

The limestone Gaylord Building played an important part in the creation of the Illinois & Michigan Canal, storing construction materials before it housed various businesses, according to the city.

“Today it is a national example of adaptive re-use and serves as a gateway to the I&M Canal National Heritage Corridor,” Lockport’s website said.

The Gaylord Building, a National Trust Historic Site, also is home to the Public Landing restaurant.

For more information, visit www.whiteoaklibrary.org and www.gaylordbuilding.org.