Librarian answers patrons' request
New Park Hills Library is colorful, larger
By PAULA BARR
Daily Journal Staff Writer
Daily Journal Staff Writer
Sep 02, 2008 - 09:49:11 CDT
Park Hills Library patrons had one request when they heard the library was moving to the former employment office on South Coffman Street.
They wanted Head librarian Leann Marler to make it colorful.
Marler complied. The upstairs of the new library is painted in storm cloud blue and terra cotta, with wood slat paneling on the lower walls to hold display shelves for new books, videos and audio books. The new carpet is blue, as is the counter top for the checkout desk.
The rest of the color — signs, posters, etc. — will be added during the move from the old building next to City Hall. On Thursday, workers for the city began moving books and equipment into the basement of the new building for use in the genealogy room.
Once cleaning and final touch up work is done, the book stacks, card catalogues, computers, and office equipment will be moved to the first floor of the new library. Cleaning is scheduled for the first week of September. The library will be closed the second week of September, when most of the moving from the old building to the new one is planned. By the end of September, the new facility should be open for business.
Marler hopes to have a big sign out front to help people realize the building no longer houses the employment office.
"People come by every day, thinking the office is still here," she said. In fact, two people arrived during Thursday morning's move and were referred to the employment office’s new location in the Park Hills Industrial Park.
The new facility has 6,000 square feet on the first floor and another 6,000 square feet on the basement floor, compared to the old facility’s total of 3,800 square feet. Visitors will be greeted by a display of the latest books across from the checkout desk. City workers added a section to the existing desk and built a matching desk behind it. Book stacks will be located on the far end of that side of the room, with a new teen/young adult in a niche near the elevator.
The children’s room will stretch from the lobby to Marler’s new office, which includes new cabinets and counter to match her charcoal gray desk.
“The children’s area will have a lot more space,” Marler said. “There’s a lot of work space and a lot more storage space for us.”
Behind the checkout desk is a long counter with room for eight computers. Marler will transfer the four existing computers to the new facility, and plans to buy two new computers in the short term. Eventually, she will add two more.
Seating and tables will be behind the public computers. There are restrooms on each floor, with a handicapped-accessible entry in the basement near the elevator.
The genealogy room will be located in a large basement room that includes a vintage kitchenette. Donated desks and chairs from First Bank likely will be used in that room.
Marler has not decided what to do with an extra large room in the basement, but for now, it will be used for children’s story hour and programs. As soon they are settled in, staff will use the room for a book sale of donated books, extra copies, and out of date books.
“We haven’t had a book sale for years,” she explained. “We just haven’t had the room.”
The basement also features a large staff workroom and storage areas.
“We should be able to offer much better services,” Marler said of the new library. “Just having more space will make it easier for people to find things.”
Paula Barr is a reporter for the Daily Journal and can be reached at 573-431-2010, ext. 172 or at pbarr@dailyjournalonline.com.
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They wanted Head librarian Leann Marler to make it colorful.
Marler complied. The upstairs of the new library is painted in storm cloud blue and terra cotta, with wood slat paneling on the lower walls to hold display shelves for new books, videos and audio books. The new carpet is blue, as is the counter top for the checkout desk.
The rest of the color — signs, posters, etc. — will be added during the move from the old building next to City Hall. On Thursday, workers for the city began moving books and equipment into the basement of the new building for use in the genealogy room.
Once cleaning and final touch up work is done, the book stacks, card catalogues, computers, and office equipment will be moved to the first floor of the new library. Cleaning is scheduled for the first week of September. The library will be closed the second week of September, when most of the moving from the old building to the new one is planned. By the end of September, the new facility should be open for business.
Marler hopes to have a big sign out front to help people realize the building no longer houses the employment office.
"People come by every day, thinking the office is still here," she said. In fact, two people arrived during Thursday morning's move and were referred to the employment office’s new location in the Park Hills Industrial Park.
The new facility has 6,000 square feet on the first floor and another 6,000 square feet on the basement floor, compared to the old facility’s total of 3,800 square feet. Visitors will be greeted by a display of the latest books across from the checkout desk. City workers added a section to the existing desk and built a matching desk behind it. Book stacks will be located on the far end of that side of the room, with a new teen/young adult in a niche near the elevator.
The children’s room will stretch from the lobby to Marler’s new office, which includes new cabinets and counter to match her charcoal gray desk.
“The children’s area will have a lot more space,” Marler said. “There’s a lot of work space and a lot more storage space for us.”
Behind the checkout desk is a long counter with room for eight computers. Marler will transfer the four existing computers to the new facility, and plans to buy two new computers in the short term. Eventually, she will add two more.
Seating and tables will be behind the public computers. There are restrooms on each floor, with a handicapped-accessible entry in the basement near the elevator.
The genealogy room will be located in a large basement room that includes a vintage kitchenette. Donated desks and chairs from First Bank likely will be used in that room.
Marler has not decided what to do with an extra large room in the basement, but for now, it will be used for children’s story hour and programs. As soon they are settled in, staff will use the room for a book sale of donated books, extra copies, and out of date books.
“We haven’t had a book sale for years,” she explained. “We just haven’t had the room.”
The basement also features a large staff workroom and storage areas.
“We should be able to offer much better services,” Marler said of the new library. “Just having more space will make it easier for people to find things.”
Paula Barr is a reporter for the Daily Journal and can be reached at 573-431-2010, ext. 172 or at pbarr@dailyjournalonline.com.