CROWN POINT | A work of art meant to inspire and uplift patrons of the new downtown library was installed Monday as the building nears an Oct. 22 opening.
Artist Tom Torluemke guided the installation, watching to make sure the mobile built of painted ash and birch woods could be easily seen from its second-floor perch inside a windowed vestibule.
Torluemke said "The Reader" is intended to give an uplifting feeling, but also to provoke study of the symbolism embodied in its moving parts, including the sun's rays with an open book releasing knowledge, arms of a person striving to advance and an apple for education.
Library officials in January selected the work from among four designs.
"The committee liked the uniqueness of it, and the fact that it was three-dimensional and viewable from all sides," Library Director Lynn Frank said.
The 46,750-square-foot, $12 million library is being constructed at 122 N. Main St. to replace a smaller library on South Court Street. Library officials agreed to a $46,200 contract with Torluemke for "The Reader."
Construction of the library building began in June 2011, and exterior work was completed late last year.
Finishing work continued this week on the interior, including on the second floor housing spacious areas for children and teens.
Furniture delivery to the building is expected within about 10 days, Frank said.
Plans are to close the South Court Street library in early October to allow several weeks for the move of hundreds of books and other library materials, Frank said.
A parking lot is being constructed south of the library's main entrance, which faces south at the center of the 100 block of North Main Street.
A second parking lot for library employees and patrons is planned at the corner of Robinson Court and East Street.
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