PORT TOWNSEND — After a two-year closure, the Port Townsend Library has reopened in its Carnegie location, beginning the next chapter for the 101-year-old building.
“About 500 people were here yesterday. They filled the space, and it was wonderful,” librarian Cris Wilson said Monday.
“They applauded, and it made us all cry.”
The temporary location at Mountain View Commons, 1919 Blaine St., which had housed the city library since April 2012, was closed July 14 in preparation for the move to the original location at 1220 Lawrence St.
“This really works,” said interim library director Bev Shelton.
“We visited lots of other libraries and came up with something that really works for Port Townsend. It has good lighting, is easy to get around in and has lots of space.”
“The reaction from the patrons has been overwhelmingly positive,” said technical services director Keith Darrock, who managed the move into the new space.
“People are really excited about the layout and having art on the walls is a really nice touch.”
The Northwind Arts Center has loaned paintings to the library and will create a rotating display as an experiment, Darrock said.
Voters defeated a proposed $3 million general obligation bond in August 2013, which included a more ambitious renovation plan.
The city paid less than $150,000 for the renovation because of volunteer labor and discounts, and the Port Townsend Library Foundation contributed an additional $125,000, Darrock said.
The reconfiguration includes a new children’s room, spiced up with a salmon sculpture donated by Port Townsend artist Max Grover.
The general collection is in the former children’s space. A new “young adult” room with computers and special displays has been added.
The circulation area has been shortened, and automatic checkout machines have been added.
The upstairs Carnegie space now resembles its original use: a large, open public reading room.
It is a switch from the previous configuration where the first floor area had shorter shelves and a more open feel.
During renovation, it was determined the room could no longer bear the weight of previous collections, prompting all of the shelves to be placed on load-bearing beams.
These shorter shelves also make the room appear larger because they do not obstruct the views of the window, Darrock said.
The new space has several technological improvements that bring it up to par with similar sized libraries, he said.
Two automatic check out stations, which “represent a learning curve for patrons and staff,” according to Darrock, are now in operation.
To be installed is a charging rack with 10 custom-configured iPads that can be checked out and used throughout the library.
The library now has 15 public computers. Use is limited to two hours daily.
Library patrons with their own computers will have unlimited online access through an enhanced wireless network.
Darrock said a signal boost provides free, unrestricted Wi-Fi to the area outside of the library and the fire station.
The main entrance of the library will remain on the Harrison Street as the entrance on Lawrence Street is not accessible to those with disabilities.
The library is open from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, and from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Sundays.
For more information, visit www.ptpubliclibrary.org or phone 360-385-3181.
_________
Jefferson County Editor Charlie Bermant can be reached at 360-385-2335 or cbermant@peninsuladailynews.com.