Jill Schramm/MDN Rows of shelving hold books in the Ward County Public Library. The library is looking to update its shelving this spring and may offer some of the existing shelving for sale to other libraries.

A foundation grant is enabling the Ward County Public Library to replace shelving at both its Minot and Kenmare locations.

Library Director Kerianne Boetcher told the Ward County Commission on Tuesday that the Glenn Perkins Foundation, Williston, has awarded a $131,491 grant. Boetcher said she worked with The Library Store, Demco Library Products and Rough Rider Industries, Bismarck, for purchase and installation of the shelving this spring and summer.

The current timeframe entails packing up books in Minot from April 21-25 and closing the library to the public from April 26-May 3 to allow for installation, cleanup and re-shelving books.

Packing up materials would begin in Kenmare in mid-July, with anticipated closing for the planned work from July 21-24. The City of Kenmare also is interested in funding new carpet and paint in the library to spruce up the space at that time, Boetcher said.

The library board is discussing keeping shelving that can be reused elsewhere in the library and seeing if a school library or small library wants to buy any other removed shelving. Boetcher said the existing shelving is in usable condition or could be repaired but it is not ideal for the Ward County library’s purposes.