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Project:
Trading Spaces
By Library
Director Debbie Cosper
 Anyone
who has been in the library over the past few months has seen some
things going on around the Main Library. Rooms in disarray, movers
taking things out, guys with tape measures, things like that.
What’s
going on is Project: Trading Spaces. It all began with two seemingly
simple comments: “Let me get someone from Reference to help
you in the Computer Room” and “Genealogy needs more
space”. This led to “How can we best utilize the space
in this building to improve service?”
 Here
are the highlights:
- The Reference
Department was moved around, creating a comfortable reading space.
- Then the
public use computers were moved to Reference.
- Next the
Art Gallery materials were integrated into the main non-fiction
collection.
- Now we had
enough space for a new Genealogy Room! The department will gain
600 square feet, over 50 additional bookshelves, and a room for
the microform readers along with new lighting and heating/cooling
system.
- Technical
Services will move into the old Genealogy. This will allow us
to set up more efficient flow-throw for materials.
-
The vacated
Technical Services space is right in the center of the library
and will be perfect for bringing Networking and Systems Administration
together in one place. We’ll be able to centralize wiring,
cabling, and telephone.
- The room
with all the windows that looks out over the main part of the
library will be emptied and used as the Community Relations Office,
where the windows will be used for publicity.
- When that
office moves out of the Administration Alcove we’ll make
the area the copier, staff fax, and supply room.
 Then
we move to the First Floor.
- In the Fiction
Area, the shelves will be reallocated to create a comfortable
reading space by the front windows.
- The Front
Desk will be moved out into the center of the library so patrons
will walk into the building straight to the book return.
Finally, we
move to the Children’s Room.
- As with
Genealogy this room will get a new ceiling, improved lighting,
and added climate control.
- But the
biggest changes to this room will be an updating of the décor
and the installation of an Information Desk.
So, now you
see why we named it Project: Trading Spaces! We expect to have this
all done by May. For more information pick up a brochure at the
library, give me a call at 329-0518, or email me at dcosper@thebookplace.org.
For more photos, click here.
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