Here’s Why There’s Scaffolding Around the Dover Public Library

If quiet is your reason for going to the library, the Dover Public Library may not be the place for you these next couple of months.

Work begins Tuesday to put up scaffolding around the building and block off a dozen parking spaces as part of a project to replace the shale roof on the 117-year-old building. The upper roof copper cornice and the six copper decorative details date back to 1905.

The library will be open during its normal hours, but the front door to the library will be closed at times. The rear handicap-accessible door will be available at all times.

The parking spaces will be used to store supplies and a trash bin.

Quiet will also be at a premium in the library.

“It is going to be loud in here on certain days, and we may have to move meetings, tutoring sessions, etc., around, depending on the work being done,” Library Director Denise LaFrance said. “Flexibility is key, as we will not have a whole lot of advanced notice.”

The project is being done by Portsmouth-based Careno Construction Co., and is budgeted at $886,998. The work should be completed by July.