The Observation Deck

Yet more good news on the library's renovation project! A piece of sculpture by David Deming (Lakewood High graduate and current president of Cleveland Institute of Art) was installed on Friday in the entryway into the Children's and Youth Services Room. These photos don't do it justice.




I've posted a photo blog of the installation
http://lakewoodobserver.com/photoblogs/andrew-harant

Kinda gives you a swelling of pride, doesn't it!?

Jeff

Two thumbs up!

That is beautiful.

It is so much fun getting to see more and more of the library. I didn't catch this post earlier about who had done that sculpture - but I was completely wowed by it last week. I had fun picking out the animals and the birds and I'm an adult - at least most of the time. I even drug my husband in to show him all the little animals. They are adorable.

But today I got to see more - The boat in the back of the children's section decoupaged with LO papers was incredible. The activity room was amazing - I'm sorry but the pictures didn't do it justice - it is much bigger than it looks in the pictures - truly amazing - and again the lights are just too cool. The home work room made me want to spend time there - a really neat place to get help with homework. I really felt this was almost a cross between a library and a children's museum.

I spent so much time here - I didn't get upstairs - so I can't wait to go back next week to see what was done there.

I was also there today.

The Librarium is amazing. I was in there and played with the "Make a Letter" machine. Then I played with the gear display and walked with wonder through the rest. This room is such a marvelous thing for little ones.

While I was there, a little girl kept going into the house and was cooking on the stove and then drifting around to check on mom who was right there on the floor waiting for her. It was so sweet.

Met Jeff Endress there too. He was showing someone around and I asked if he was Jeff. It was great meeting him and he was beaming about the room.

We will never get DL out of there once she sees it.

I am thrilled with the enthusiastic response of adults, children and families to the Librainium and the children’s room. People keep saying “Wow!â€￾

I like to give credit where credit is due. And President Jeff Endress led the board to reach high with the Librainium. And it’s an incredible story from initial concept to final design.

Which brings me to Lynn Roderman. I saw Lynn briefly tonight before the LEAF meeting in the library. Actually Lynn and her sons Owen and Milo and her husband Mike, all great Lakewood community builders and library patrons, were foremost in my mind as we developed the concept of the organic learning center that grew into the Librainium. Over the years, I’ve enjoyed many great conversations with Lynn about children, education – home schooling and Waldorf education - and the interests of smart, young Lakewood families. In fact, Lynn was a conceptual touchstone for me as we aimed to design an organic, Lakewood-centric texture for planting the seeds of reading and community in children and families. So many people provide insight and support that continuously helps Lakewood Public Library become more attuned to the community. The palpable joy in the expanded children’s room is wonder and tribute to the great and rare spirit of our city.

Librarians from Columbus have already been up to visit. Some from Toronto also want to get a view. And I have no doubt that librarians from around the world will be visiting Lakewood to see our wonderful library.

Thank you again for all your kindness and patience.

And don't forget to come to the re-dedication on June 1 at noon. We'll have a great celebration.

Kenneth Warren
Director
Lakewood Public Library

sharon kinsella wrote:We will never get DL out of there once she sees it.

I think I'm waiting for June 1st, but who knows...

I have no doubt that my mind will be blown by finally seeing the project as a whole.

I was just envisioning a wonderful guestbook signed by all who enter. We could see ourselves and our visitors and we can imagine how each person who enters is affected by the experience.

I'm one of those people who seek out the Carnegie libraries because they are temples to learning that are free, open, and welcoming to all.

sharon kinsella wrote:We will never get DL out of there once she sees it.

I think I'm waiting for June 1st, but who knows...

I have no doubt that my mind will be blown by finally seeing the project as a whole.

I was just envisioning a wonderful guestbook signed by all who enter. We could see ourselves and our visitors and we can imagine how each person who enters is affected by the experience.

I'm one of those people who seek out the Carnegie libraries because they are temples to learning that are free, open, and welcoming to all.

I had a chance to see the whole children's section yesterday and it is just amazing. I am so proud to be able to say this is Lakewood's library. Even in the the less beautiful old library I have always thought we are incredibly lucky for all the amazing services but now I see Lakewood library as a testament to the fact that inner ring suburbs are vital places. Great job!

My youngest daughter just spent a week in the hospital recovering from abdominal surgery. After hearing about the Librainium from her older sister, she requested that the LPL be our first stop after she was discharged yesterday. We drove to the library straight from the hospital. Both kids give it a big thumbs up.

Brian - I am so happy for you and your family. That surgery must have been quite an ordeal for your little. Glad she's doing well.

What a marvelous thing to do for her on her trip out of the hospital. I'm sure she loved it.