The Northland Public Library’s annual garden gala, “Down the Rabbit Hole,” drops in on April 26, and guests can be assured the event will have all of the bells and whistles as usual, despite the renovation work still happening there.

“After our 2024 ‘Gatsby in the Garden’ literary theme, we are excited to draw inspiration from Lewis Carroll’s ‘Alice in Wonderland’ this year. In the midst of ongoing construction at the library, it seemed like the perfect time to take a trip ‘Down the Rabbit Hole,’ ” said Alexis McKinley, who is director of development for Northland Public Library.

VIP guests can arrive at 6:30 p.m. with general admission opening at 7:30 at the library, 300 Cumberland Road, McCandless. The building has been undergoing a major facelift since construction began in September.

“The New Northland renovation project will not be completed in time for this year’s Garden Gala, but we are ready to adapt,” said McKinley, who also is director of the Northland Public Library Foundation.

The same number of tickets are being sold as there will increased usable space on the second floor of the library — where the spiral staircase used to be located. That area, which will include new flooring in the existing building’s footprint, will be complete in time for April, McKinley said.

Gala entertainment will fall in line with the theme of the beloved literary classic, including costumed characters and croquet in the library’s outdoor Learning Garden.

“Magician Steve Haberman will delight guests with his amazing and humorous strolling magic, mentalism and sleight of hand. Our decorating committee is already hard at work planning how to transform Northland from a fully functioning public library at 3 p.m. into a Wonderland for our guests beginning at 6:30 p.m. on Saturday, April 26,” she said.

That being said, the library will close at 3 p.m. April 26 for setup.

VIP tickets cost $125 and includes a reception and sponsor presentation. General admission is $75. Guests must be at least 21. The event is being presented by UPMC and UPMC Health Plan.

All guests will be asked to enter on the upper level of the library or through the Learning Garden, McKinley said. Since the library’s new staircase will not be ready in time for the gala, guests are welcome to ride the elevator, walk outside or take the shuttle bus to travel between the upper and lower levels.

“We appreciate our guests’ patience and flexibility,” McKinley said.

Construction on the approximately $4 million renovation is expected to last until early summer.

Plans include a new lower-level entrance, increased accessibility, an open lower lobby and service areas, a renovated layout and extended social spaces, and removal of a spiral staircase in the center of the lobby.

“Our New Northland construction project continues to progress, and we’re so excited to see all the happenings every week. Recent highlights include: finishing up exterior beam and structure construction so we can start to ‘close-in’ the new building extension; the removal of the tile floor on the upper and lower levels in anticipation of the new flooring system to be installed in the next few weeks; and the framing of the new lower-level layout walls,” said Nicholas Yon, director of communications for Northland Public Library.

The library still is in the process of finalizing a cafe space vendor after receiving a number of proposals, he said.

“We’re deliberating said proposals and engaging with select finalists to find the best fit for the library and our patrons,” Yon said.

For gala tickets and renovation details, visit northlandlibrary.org.

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