Children, parents and friends turned out over the weekend to check renovation work at Acorn Public Library that transformed the lower level into a special place for young readers.
Sunday’s open house gave patrons the first glimpses of a project that nearly triples the library’s available shelf space, according to Denise Webber, library director.
The former cramped children’s area on the lower level has been turned into an expansive service space that excited Nichole Okon, 11. “I like it better down here because there’s more space to walk around,” she said.
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Parent Larry Jenen, working on puzzles with his young children, liked “the openness and brightness” of the space, and was glad to see additional computers.
Half of the lower level has always been the children’s section, Webber explained, but the four-month construction project converted storage space into 4,300 square feet of library space. Staff designed the area that serves not only the youngest readers but also the young adult readers who previously were upstairs. A circulation desk separates the children’s and young adult areas.
A brightly decorated children’s story hour room complements the new young adult service suite that includes a computer room, two small meeting rooms and a typing room.
The $420,000 renovation included the purchase of furniture and four computers; two other computers were donated.