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Luverne’s Allie Parkhurst took advantage of the Rock County Community Library’s grand reopening last Thursday, checking out 11 easy-read books.
Three days after the facility reopened to regular hours, patrons got a look at the improvements and were able to check out materials again. The facility had been closed for the past month as materials were moved from the basement back to the main floor.
The official ribbon-cutting took place Thursday, March 17.
“It’s beautiful,” Parkhurst said. “It’s nice, easy to navigate.”
Along with new paint, carpeting and shelving, library officials also relocated the various centers. Now the children’s library is located closer to the circulation desk, and the teenage book selection and public computers have their own separate rooms.
“Good,” is how 9-year-old Katia Jarchow described her experience in the new teen reading room. She was busy reading in the quiet area after the facility’s ribbon-cutting ceremony.
Jarchow and Parkhurst weren’t the only patrons getting their first looks at the improvements and checking out materials.
During the first four days of the library’s reopening, 1,043 books, magazines and audiobooks were checked out. That’s 151 more materials checked out than the same time last year.
The first day of business appeared to be the busiest.
“We were nonstop all day long,” said children’s librarian Bronwyn Wenzel.
Funding of the improvements were a joint effort of county officials, the library board of directors and the Friends of the Library support group.
“We thank the county commissioners for seeing a need,” said Bruce Olson, a library board director.
He also commended the Friends group.
“Oftentimes if there is a need, they come up with the funds for it,” Olson added.
Commissioners approved $175,000 for the library improvements. As final costs are being tallied, the project is expected to be at or under budget.