(This is the final article of a three-part series about University Park Public Library. Check out parts one and two to find out more information about the library and its history.)
NEW LOCATION AT THE PRESTON CENTER
The University Park Public Library will soon be relocating to the Plaza at Preston Center.
Bob Livingston, the city manager for University Park, was one of leaders who helped the library acquire its soon-to-be new home in the Plaza, Hall said.
The property management company for the Plaza was looking to improve the area and add an underground parking garage, so they worked with the city and came up with a plan to build a five-story office building that will house the new library, Hall said.
Steve Mace, the community information officer for University Park, said the city will make a formal announcement in the next several weeks about when construction will begin for the new library after an official date is set.
“City officials in conjunction with the Friends of the Library are planning on having a groundbreaking ceremony for the new location in early September,” Mace said.
The new library is expected to open about a year and a half after construction begins this fall, Hall said. The city of University Park will own the second floor of the building and lease it to the library. The city will also have a public meeting room on the third floor of the building, which will be used for library programs and other events.
The new library will have some upgrades to its layout that will help it operate more efficiently.
"We love the place we currently have, but the new location will be specifically designed for a library versus being designed for an office," Swope said.
The new library will have its own lobby entrance on the first floor, Swope said. Visitors will be able to use a stairway or elevator from the lobby to access the facilities on the second floor.
"I think it will provide a very secure spot for busy parents to drop their children off," Hall said. "Parents will be able to see inside the lobby doors and watch their kids walk up the stairs. That's important to us."
The floor plan for the new library will allow for easier access to books and other items that are offered at the location, Hall said. The library is planning on upgrading its tables, chairs and shelving units to best fit the needs of its visitors.
Also, the new library will have some technology upgrades that the current location is lacking, which will make it a "state-of-the-art" facility, Hall said.
The library will have self-checkout stations for visitors, but there will also be staff members on hand to provide assistance in any way, Hall said.
Hall said she hopes the library will be able to hire more employees to run the new location when it opens. Currently, the library has three full-time staff members and relies on volunteer work from the community for extra assistance.
Advocates of the new library hope it will become a popular community center that is a "destination place" for all ages to enjoy and spend time at, Hall said. Being located in the Plaza should benefit both the library and local businesses.
"People will hopefully come enjoy the library then go get an ice cream cone from Baskin-Robbins or have lunch at Taco Diner," Hall said. "We really want to be a cool place to hang out."