Ottawa Herald, The (KS)
Published: July 11, 2011
Residents who haven’t visited the Ottawa Library since recent renovations were completed in the Spring might be in for a surprise.
Bright colors, as well as new carpeting and signs, now greet patrons as they enter the library, 105 S. Hickory St., Ottawa.
Linda Knight, inter-library loan clerk, said patrons have responded well to the changes.
“It’s been a big plus,” Knight said.
And she also is pleased with them.
“I love it,” Knight said. “I like the brightness and we added some color upstairs, but nothing too drastic.”
The renovations were part of a massive overhaul to the upstairs and downstairs of the library, which formally were completed and honored with an open house in February. A few missing furniture pieces trickled in throughout spring, library officials said, but as of now, everything is in.
The $250,000 project was made possible through the Ottawa Library Endowment fund and included revamping the children’s section with new computers and activities, the addition of a young adult area known as “The Cave” and a new, improved circulation desk. New carpeting was added, and the former white walls were repainted a pastel green. The project also added four work areas for the staff on the lower level, which they said were desperately needed.
Knight said she previously was working on a white folding table.
Lisa Slavin, adult programming manager at the library, said she enjoys her new space.
“There’s lots of room to work and it’s more cheerful and bright,” Slavin said.
The seven-member library board began discussing the renovations during spring 2010 and construction began in October.
Robin Flory, the library’s director, said the most expensive aspect of the project was the circulation desk, which had a price tag of about $100,000. The new desk is constructed out of recycled wood and has frosted glass decorated with alternating blue and green spots.
A big part of the renovations included using space more efficiently and creating more room for patrons to browse, she said.
“I think it is a much better use of space now,” Flory said. “Before, it was totally inefficient and it was ugly.”
Albert Toumberlin, 30, Ottawa, said he frequents the library about four times a week to complete school work.
Toumberlin, an online student of the University of Phoenix, said he thinks the library now looks better.
“It’s more comfortable, more homey,” Toumberlin said. “It’s not as packed and there’s more room and so you don’t bump into people.”
Cyndi Brewer, children services assistant, said the renovations made more space, especially in the children’s section.
“There is more room for people to go through with strollers now and more room for families to spend extended amounts of time with activities and puzzles,” Knight said. “They come in for longer now, especially since it’s hot out.”
The children’s center, now decorated with red and white polka dots, provides more activities for young children and is more kid-friendly.
Regina Hall, 28, Ottawa, and her two young girls often spent time at the library, about once a week, before the renovations. But, Hall said, now they stay longer.
“It’s wonderful,” she said. “It’s more organized, funner-looking and there is more stuff to keep them busy. Kind of like a coffee house now.”
Angelique McNaughton 