Veteran's Memorial Library reopens with internal, cosmetic changes, could save $7,000 a year
Veteran’s Memorial Library has reopened after about three months of construction.
The library, located at 301 S. University Ave., had not been renovated since 1985, said Lise Mitchell, executive director of library services for the Chippewa River District Library. She noted many reasons for the project.
“Part of it was improvement of systems like heating, lighting and computer wiring,” she said. “It started as internal renovation, but we decided to take the opportunity to make some cosmetic changes too.”
Mitchell said the changes to the facility’s electric and lighting systems are not only more efficient, but they also will save the library about $7,000 per year.
The changes to the computer wiring and Internet systems, she said, will make the computers faster and more convenient for patrons.
Patrons seemed most excited for the updated layout and overall appearance of the library.
The library had a small children’s section on the main floor before, now downstairs in a larger area with chairs, tables, a play area and a story time rug and chair. A self-checkout station and bathrooms also were added to make it more convenient for families with small children.
Melanie Strawn of Mount Pleasant brought her 2-year-old twins, Drew and Ellie, to the opening. She has occasionally brought the twins to story time on Mondays since they were 1.
Strawn said she is part of a group called Moms of Mount Pleasant and thinks the new children’s section could be a convenient place for them to meet.
“It’s a great facility,” she said. “I’m hoping, maybe, we can meet here a couple times a month now.”
New colors
Other changes to the layout include the addition of a new closed-off teen section, two new study rooms and a relocation of the adult fiction section and newspapers and magazines.
The newspapers and magazines were moved to a section by the windows with tables and chairs, Mitchell said, so people could take advantage of the lighting and view while enjoying their morning paper or favorite magazine.
“We’re trying to get different groups of people using the library and make everyone happy and coexistent,” she said.
Mitchell said the library also added a family lab and moved the main computer lab to a bigger room to fit 20 computers instead of 10. She said classes in the computer lab are free to the public, and this change will increase the capacity for these classes.
Sandy Ackerman said she and her husband have been regulars at the library for 20 years. Over that time, the library has greatly improved.
“I love it,” the Mount Pleasant resident said. “It’s so bright, and I love the colors.”
Mitchell said the library used to be all gray but, now, the walls are bright yellow and the lighting is brighter, giving it a more cheerful look.
The renovation was perfect timing for the library, as their re-opening was held on its 100th anniversary.
“That’s the goal we gave the contractors, and they did a great job of coming through,” she said.
