Shepherdstown Public Library Director Hali Taylor stands in front of the main doorway of the future library building on Dec. 8. Tabitha Johnston

SHEPHERDSTOWN — The 40 miles-per-hour winds on Dec. 6 caused some damage to one of the gables and 25 trusses on the Shepherdstown Public Library’s new building. But the Doyle Construction crew managing the build quickly noted the issue and ordered replacement lumber to replace the torn wood.

According to SPL Director Hali Taylor, this kind of conscientious behavior has seemed to be a regular occurrence, since the building construction began on Aug. 31.

“These guys are totally transparent with their work,” Taylor said on Dec. 8, as she walked around the construction site at 145 Higbee Lane, Shepherdstown, WV 25443.

According to site superintendent Donny Hughes, this kind of reputation is what his company regularly strives for, in all of its business dealings. Thankfully, in spite of having to rebuild a small portion of the project, Hughes said the construction will likely be finished ahead of schedule.

“We are technically three days behind, because of the wind damage. But we were already so far ahead!” Hughes said. “If that’s the only problem we have with this building project, I’ll take it!”

The new library building will eventually have 40 paved parking spaces, along with overflow parking. Tabitha Johnston

Even with calculating in the three extra days of work needed to replace the wind damaged parts of the building’s wood frame, Hughes said the construction is estimated to be completed by May 4. The timeline for putting in the interior walls, he noted, would also remain on schedule, set for mid-January.

“The original project would have taken 12 months, but we’re on an eight-month track now,” Hughes said. “Every build is special. It’s going to be an interesting building, because of the details in its design.”

The positive opinion that the library board and staff have of Doyle Construction is reciprocated, Hughes noted.

“Working with the Shepherdstown Public Library has been a wonderful experience,” Hughes said. “The people here have been very easy to work with.”

Some of the details in the library design that Taylor said she is most excited about, are the large windows in the Children’s Department, the designated space for young adults, the quiet reading room, the outdoor event space, the 40-space parking lot and the two meeting rooms with a removable divider and adjacent catering kitchen.

Doyle Construction crew members work on the roof of the new library building on Dec. 8. Tabitha Johnston

“It’s thrilling, to watch it go up!” Taylor said. “I have no experience with construction, so I’m just awed with this. I’m learning so much!”

Personally, Taylor said she will most benefit from having her own office. Two offices, for herself and for children’s librarian Tish Wiggs, will allow behind-the-scenes work to be done more efficiently, Taylor indicated.

“I love seeing my patrons come in, but it makes it tough to get things done [in our current building],” Taylor said. “There are a lot of things that happen, like fundraising and paperwork for the state, on which I need to be be able to focus. Having an office will help me go and get my work done — and the same for Tish. She also needs a place where she can go and get her work done.”

But for right now, Taylor said she and the library’s other staff members are just relieved to be back in the repaired Market House building, which was structurally damaged by a hit-and-run driver on July 4. The repairs on the building were recently completed, allowing the library to move its operations back from the War Memorial Building and Shepherdstown Sweet Shop on Dec. 7.

A couple of Doyle Construction crew members work together inside the building frame on Dec. 8. Tabitha Johnston

The area where a gable was torn off the library building could be clearly seen after the heavy winds on Dec. 6. Tabitha Johnston