ASHLAND – After more than two months of limited availability and an additional two weeks of being completely closed, the remodeled Ashland Public Library will reopen to the public on Monday, July 25, and visitors will be able to see why it was all worthwhile.
Fresh paint, new furniture and brighter, more efficient lights are just a few of the cosmetic changes guests will immediately notice when they walk in. A centralized customer service desk will make it easier for the public to find assistance by freeing up employees to help in other areas of the building if customers need assistance.
Also, the library’s inventory has been reorganized, with sections moved to different areas of the library.
The area formerly occupied by the periodicals and the genealogy section will now be the children’s area, complete with a storytime room and a play area, similar to what many fast-food restaurants have. Library officials asked that media not photograph the play area, which was designed and built by SoftPlay, a North Carolina-based company, in advance of the reopening so the public can be surprised by it when they come in for the first time.
Children who want to play in the play area must wear socks for safety reasons, so parents are encouraged to bring socks along if children are wearing sandals.
In addition, Ashland will become only the second library in the state to adopt a “Dewey Lite” system for cataloging items, grouping items in a manner more like a bookstore.
Beginning May 2, the library closed the main floor for renovations and opened its “Express Library”, with a limited selection of materials set up in the Large Meeting Room in the basement.
The library closed completely on July 11 to allow staff to be trained in the new system and to allow construction crews to finish up their projects.
Adrienne Shores, community coordinator for the library, said the staff has completed its training and everyone is excited for the public to get their first look at the renovations.
“The library sincerely thanks the community for their enormous patience and support. It is our hope that everyone, including those who may be uncomfortable with the changes, to stop by and see for themselves the materials, resources, and physical space that is available to each and every person in our community,” Shores said. “Our staff is excited to assist visitors with reorienting themselves to the new layout, answer questions, and connect people to their desired books, periodicals, audio/visual materials, technology, and more. Same great product, new packaging!”
The $900,000 remodeling project was made possible thanks to two donations. In 2005, Ines Page left $600,000 to the library for improvements and in 2014 the estate of Nancy Stockwell gave $700,000 to the library. Library Design Associates of Columbus did the majority of the work and local company BCU Electric handled the electrical work.
A ribbon cutting is planned for 3 p.m. on Monday, Aug. 1, with refreshments, a plaque unveiling and a chance for the public to explore the newly renovated library.
