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Posted: Monday, December 1, 2008, 9:10 am
When 2008 began, I knew it would be a busy year if we were to accomplish everything on our ambitious action plan, which included not one or two, but four major projects.
We planned to open a new library, finish renovating the two existing libraries and completely redesign our Web site. As the year draws to a close, I'm happy to report that we were able to complete all four projects on time and within their budgets.
On April 16, the long-held dream of providing library service to residents in the northeast part of our community came true with the opening of the Worthington Park Library. Located at 1389 Worthington Centre Drive in the Worthington Park Shopping Center, the library is focused on meeting the needs of the many children and families who live in the neighborhood and features a large collection of children's books. It provides residents with computers, wireless Internet access and a collection of popular fiction and nonfiction books and serves as a pickup location for reserved items.
Worthington Park Library also includes a Homework Help Center, which is unique to that location and provides students with access to tutors, computers and other resources available from 3pm - 6pm each Monday-Thursday.
Renovations at both Old Worthington Library and Northwest Library were also finished this year. At each location, existing space was reinterpreted to reflect how people use the Library today.
We installed more electrical outlets so people can use their laptops and other portable devices throughout the Library. We built new areas for teens, added computers and comfortable seating— including chairs, tables and counters in the library lobbies. New group study areas were created, and a drive-through pickup window for reserves was added at Northwest Library. In every space, shelving was modified to make materials more accessible and easier to browse.
In the children's areas at all three libraries, we recently completed installation of themed entrances that feature familiar storybook characters like Winnie-the-Pooh, Madeline, Cinderella, Humpty Dumpty, Harry the Dirty Dog and Olivia. These spaces, which also include new child-friendly furnishings, are designed to inspire and motivate children to explore the wide world of imagination.
Not being content to modify only our physical space, we also changed our online presence to match the vibrancy of the buildings. Our completely redesigned Web site, worthingtonlibraries.org, was launched in November. Not only does it provide easy access to the catalog from every page, it also makes it simple for patrons to search for programs at the library location of their choice and to find out what new books, movies and music are new to the collection. Go online and check it out today!
The work is complete, and it's time to celebrate! Library patrons have been extremely supportive and patient throughout this year, and we'd like to thank you with a party. Join us on Saturday, December 6 from 10am - 2pm for community celebrations happening at all three library locations. Check out the new web site, tour the new spaces, visit with a children's book character, attend a storytime or simply eat a cookie, relax and, above all, enjoy the Library!
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