Sunday, November 22, 2009

L. E. Phillips Library Hosts Grand Reopening Ceremony

Rendering of renovated checkout area

Link to November 21 Eau Claire Leader-Telegram article, "Viewpoint: An old friend, L. E. Phillips library, sparkles anew".

Excerpt: Originally conceived three years ago as a $3.9 million project, the renovations were scaled back last year when fundraising fell short of expectations. Nonetheless, library Director John Stoneberg said, those involved feel good about what they could afford to do even on a smaller budget.

The $1.567 million project, which began in May and recently wrapped up, improved dozens of things about the library that will make it a better, more vibrant and more useful place for patrons and employees.

Much of the renovation went on behind the scenes, particularly within the lower-level maze of offices where new items are processed for the library's collection and books and other materials are shipped to and from other libraries.

However, a lot of work occurred in public areas, too, so donors and users seem pleased that they got "bang for their buck," Stoneberg said.

For instance, library visitors are greeted by a wider entryway - in part because the circulation desk was moved - as well as a curved glass wall flanking a newly expanded youth services area, which was crawling with enthusiastic children (and parents) who sat on new, brightly colored furniture reading books and clustered around computers.

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