Hundreds enjoy 'sneak peak' of new library

The front entrance, pictured above, features an open patio/reading area. In the picutre below, two visitors look at the adult computer lab. Without the shelves up yet, there's a lot of room.

More than 500 people turned out last Thursday for a "Sneak Preview" of the newly-remodeled Mountain Home Public Library.

"I can't believe it's the same building," said local resident Maggie Fletcher.

Fletcher, a retired schoolteacher and volunteer storyteller at the library, also said there was no comparing the new library to the old one.

"It's just fabulous, it feels very uptown and we are lucky to have it."

One aspect of the new library Fletcher was impressed with was the tiled flooring in the children's section.

"That makes it so much easier to do arts and crafts," she said as she toured the facility with her husband, Gerald.

Mr. Fletcher, who has been a resident of Mountain Home for more than 80 years, said he could remember when the only library in town was the one located by city hall.

"We have come quite a long way since that tiny, little building," he said.

The new library expansion, approved by voters in the fall of 2004, will feature a TCBY/Moxie Java, a multipurpose room available to the public, and a juvenile department computer lab.

Other unique features that will enable the public to stay connected are the audio/CD section, numerous laptop ports, and several computer stations with high-speed Internet access.

Suzie Freeman was conducting tours of the $1.5 million renovation and said even though they are still missing a few items like furniture and shelving, "Things are coming along better than we hoped."

Freeman highlighted features such as the online testing/Proctor room and the colorful reading rooms as her favorite new additions.

"Plus, we have an actual break room for the first time, which is very exciting," she said.

"It feels a little like a combination of Barnes & Noble and the BSU Library."

Site Superintendent Larry Jewett and Head Librarian Luise House were also on hand to offer technical information to visitors.

"We almost exactly doubled the size of the old library," Jewett said. "We went from 8,000 square feet in the old one to right around 16,000 in this one."

"It's been a great job so far," he said.

Although construction on the project officially began in May, House said the dream for the expansion began long before then.

"This project really took root more than eight years ago when the library board first started drafting the bond," she said.

"We finally got that passed in 2004 and then broke ground several months after that. It has been a very long process but I can't wait until it's finally open."

House was very proud of the multipurpose room that would eventually be available for the public to rent for meetings and special gatherings.

"It has all the amenities a business would need for meetings: A/V hookups, Internet access, overhead screens, and plenty of space," she said.

Doreen Krabbenhof, Executive Director of the Elmore Medical Center Foundation, said the meeting room is exactly what this community needs.

"You can't find enough good meeting areas in Mountain Home, so this would be perfect," she said. "This is a wonderful place to meet because it's so big!"

Krabbenhof also mentioned the TCBY/Moxie Java, with seating both inside and outside the library, as something she was looking forward to.

"It won't be long now until I can come in here, pick up a good book and have my coffee all at the same time," she said.

House is hoping to open the library doors for a formal dedication sometime in March and encourages the public to visit the library web site at www.mhlibrary.org for more information.