The Observation Deck

Observers:

The Main Branch of the Lakewood Public Library will open on July 9th. Shelving and furniture have been delivered and assembled. The staff has been hard at work moving the collections into the new space, shelving and arranging. Final cleanup, computer connections and organization will take place over the weekend in anticipation of opening the doors on Monday morning.

At 8:30 am, there will be a formal flag raising of both the American flag and the Ohio state flag on the new twin flag poles at the Detroit entrance. Local Scouts will assist in the ceremony and be accompanied by members of the LHS Band.

Entrance to the parking lot is from Mars Ave. The Arthur entrance and lot are now closed as the renovation of the old building began.

We are excited that stage I of the construction is complete. But please pardon the dust and noise as renovation continues on the Arthur building (phase II). The entire project should be complete early spring, '08.

Jeff

Jeff, Ken et all:

I can't wait! A big THANK YOU to everyone involved!

Pardon the pun, but this is a great new chapter for Lakewood!!!

Pardon the pun, but this is a great new chapter for Lakewood!!!

Indeed. The Board, our director and our staff have always believed that the Library is the heart and soul of the community. And it is the support of the community that has made this wonderful facility possible.

But, you can't tell a book from its cover! Today is a day for all our citizens to come in, explore and get to know the new building. We look forward to your continued support and are very anxious for the completion of phase II. Lots of exciting things in the renovation!

Jeff

What a great day! The Flag raising was beautiful, and the band was great. Mr. Warren, Mrs. Paras, Mrs. Steele and the rest of the Lakewood Public Library staff were providing their customary top notch service the customers!

Lakewood Publick Library Director Kenneth Warren opens the door for all the people waiting to see the new library.



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I had a chance to stop in the library today to return a book and it's just amazing. To be honest, it's a little jarring at first because it's just so different than what we had before, but in a good way.

I can't wait until the entire project is complete just to see how wonderful it is.

So happy to have my library back and it is gorgeous.

I posted some photos of this morning's ceremonies:

http://lakewoodobserver.com/photoblogs/ ... uly-9-2007

It reminded me of the Westlake library in that there is a lot of empty space. Hopefully that space will be filled up with something. I was always impressed with the LPL's extensive VHS collection.

Is the new building an addition or a replacement? Is the old building still going to be used?

It is a replacement. The old wing is now closed and being renovated. I believe they are looking to be done by Spring 2008.

Ryan

The new building, on Mars and Detroit, is an addition to the original at Arthur and Detroit. Completion of the addition was Phase I. The addition is 40,000 square feet. What used to be housed in the original building (50,000 square feet) has been shifted over to the addition. Because of the temporary loss of space, the collection has been temporarily downsized, to accommodate the addition's layout and to avoid duplication of moving.

The original building is being completely renovated and when complete in the Spring of '08, will result in a total of 90,000 square feet, as well as an additional 30 parking spaces. When complete, the entire building will be seamless....it will not appear to the user that an "annex" was added. It is a difficult phasing project due to the fact that the Arthur building (as you know it) is actually an original structure with 4 additions. The completed project will feature a greatly enhanced children's area, state of the art computer facility as well a significant increase in the overall space available for the collections.

When opened in '08, it promises to be a world class facility. The same attention to detail and design excellence that you see in the addition will most certainly carry through in the renovation of the Arthur building.

Jeff

My daughter and I went there last night for the first time. I, um, had to return some books that were a bit overdue...

Very very nice. A job well done by all involved.

We also took a ride over to Bella Dubby to check out the art - also a first. Nice art on the wall and interesting blueberry ale or whatever it was.

I've now just spent the last hour or so in the Grand Reading gallery in the new library. The more I'm here, the more I find I enjoy the structure.

I really appreciate the individual work cubicles around the library with power (so important for those of us who need to work for awhile) and of course LAN connections for those poor people who still don't have wireless.

So far each time I've come here I find something new I truly enjoy, some little detail that was so well thought out.