Getting a read on Moline' s new library

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By Tory Brecht | Monday, August 14, 2006 6:44 AM CDT | () comments

Photos by Jeff Cook/QUAD-CITY TIMES Moline’s new library �” located next to the existing 41st Street branch �” will open before the end of the month. Moving day is scheduled to begin today, with 160,000 books, periodicals, videos, CDs and other items heading to the new building during a “human chain” ceremony.

Moline’s luminous new library is startling as much for what it doesn’t contain as what amenities it does have.

Gone are massive stone blocks and pillars, dark and musty stacks and small, spartan community rooms.

The new $12.5 million edifice on 41st Street is awash with glass and light, wide-open spaces inside and full of bright and inviting spaces.

Each aisle of the second-floor adult fiction and nonfiction section lines up with a tall horizontal window — letting the sun shine down and illuminate the book spines. Windows are everywhere — at foot level in the downstairs conference room, lining virtually every wall and even shedding light into the behind-the-scenes staff work areas.

“We’ve tried to bring in as much natural light as possible,” said library director Leslie Kee, who beams like a new mother whenever folks tour the new building. “On sunny days, the interior lighting automatically dims.”

Kee said the new library — located next to the existing 41st Street branch — will open before the end of August. Today, work begins in earnest to move 160,000 books, periodicals, videos, CDs and other items to the new building. That number doesn’t include furniture, shelving and equipment.

Moving day will be marked by a part symbolic, part functional “human chain.” Moline residents and library supporters will show up at 10 a.m. to help pass items hand by hand from the old library to the new.

The Southeast Branch closed Saturday. Moline will be without a library for about a week, as the downtown library has been closed since May because of problems with lead-based paint, asbestos, a roof that needs replacement and Americans with Disabilities Act compliance issues, Kee said.

She said the plan was to reopen downtown when renovations are complete.

The new library, by contrast, is state-of-the art. A large entrance atrium is flanked by the Copper Cafe coffee shop and a large conference room big enough for 220 that also breaks down into small-group areas.

On the central portion of the first floor, the typical large circulation desk has been replaced by six check-out stations — three of which are self check-out.

Near circulation is the “get and go” section, with best sellers, DVDs and videos, audio books and other frequently checked-out items.

The majority of the first floor, though, is devoted to kids. There is a larger-than-usual young adult section and a whimsically decorated children’s section designed to look like a tree house area. The children’s area has lightning bug and apple lights hanging from the ceiling, a built-in puppet theater, and a large activities room.

Upstairs, a large reference desk sits next to a public computer use pod. The entire building is equipped for wireless Internet.

Also on the second floor is a local history room with books and documents about the Quad-Cities and two comfortable reading areas — one of which is nestled around an electric fireplace.

Kee said one of her favorite elements in the library is the illuminated “quote tower” on the back of the elevator shaft. From first floor to second floor, backlit quotes from famous authors loom above browsing patrons.

“We feel most of them will be recognizable to our patrons, but there will be a cheat sheet available,” she said.

Moline Alderman Bill Adams, 5th Ward, said bickering over the library’s cost and subsequent fundraising challenges shouldn’t overshadow the good work that’s been done.

“I hear the response of people walking through the building has been very, very positive.,” he said. “I think (the Library Board) went and did their homework for what this community needs as far as square footage, amenities and everything else.”

The Library Board asked for and received gap financing from the City Council in April to complete construction. Under the terms of the agreement, the city loaned the library $1.5 million at 3.5 percent interest, with the repayment due by the beginning of fiscal year 2008.

While the library still is a little more than $1.5 million short of that goal, fundraising consultant Ray German of BMG Associates believes once people get a look at the new building, more checks will come in.

“It’s a wonderful facility, and it will be a tremendous asset to the community,” he said. “We just need to approach people in a genuine and sincere manner and ask for their support for a project that brings value. And that’s what we have with the library.”

Attractions

Moline’s new $12.5 million library is set to open by the end of this month. Here’s a sneak peek at what’s inside:

Copper Cafe coffee shop

Large conference room, big enough for 220 people

Check-out stations, including three self check-outs

Building is equipped for wireless Internet

“Get and go” section, with best sellers, DVDs and videos

Larger-than-usual young adult section

Local history room

Reading areas

“Quote tower”

Tory Brecht can be contacted at (563) 383-2329 or tbrecht@qctimes.com