Open Houses for Renovated Jail, Library

TYLER — Two major downtown Tyler renovation projects are celebrating their completion today. Open houses will be held from 4:00 till 6:00pm at the Smith County Jail and Tyler Public Library. The jail event will include a ceremony set for 5:30. Attendees are asked to use the west entrance at 206 East Elm Street.

The Friends of the Tyler Public Library is hosting the library event. Special guests include Mayor Martin Heines, Interim City Manager Susan Guthrie, sculptors Jim and Cherry Day, and Fitzpatrick Architects. Renovations include the children’s reading area and stacks and the first and third floor bathrooms. Updates to Taylor Auditorium as well as installing exterior signage and enclosing the covered patio on the east side of the building have also been completed. A new owl sculpture, to be unveiled during the open house, will greet visitors at the library’s entrance.

The project was funded by a bequest of the Estate of Joyce Kathryn Findley, a long-time library patron. “We are so thankful for privately donated funds that make needed renovations possible,” said City Librarian Mary Vernau. “I can’t wait to see how much these enhancements will benefit our Library patrons!”