In order to better serve patrons who use the Historical Society's resources, the building's hours will change temporarily to accommodate construction work. The new hours, effective April 30, will be Tuesday through Friday, noon to 7 p.m. The library will be open normal hours on Saturdays, 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and, as usual, the special collections department will be closed on Saturdays. Patrons of the library and special collections should be aware that some research materials might not be accessible during parts of the construction.

Although actual cutting will not begin until April 29, contractors will be on site beginning April 12 for preparation work. The project is scheduled to last six to eight weeks, at which time the library and special collections will resume regular public service hours. Construction is estimated to cost $150,000 and is being paid for through the Rebuild Iowa Infrastructure Fund (RIIF).

"We recognize that this is a disruption and an inconvenience to the public, but the construction will restore the building's structural integrity, and will ensure its use for many more years as a safe repository for Iowa history materials," said Shaner Magalhães, bureau chief for the State Historical Society of Iowa.

The Centennial Building, 402 Iowa Ave., Iowa City, was built in 1960 and has been occupied by the State Historical Society ever since. For more information on the construction or library hours, call 319-335-3916.