New library gets rave reviews
Last Monday, hundreds of people crammed into the new North Fort Myers Public Library to celebrate its grand opening. It was so crowded that people who were funneled into a back room ended up staying there.
But soon the pomp and circumstance ended. By noontime, things settled down dramatically and it began to feel more like, well, a library.
It was that way for the rest of the week as a steady stream of people came to check out some books and DVDs and use the many computers that are spread throughout the new, $13.5 million facility.
Librarian Denise Hancock said they were busier than normal the first week, with many families coming and using their new resources, such as the special rooms and reading cages.
“We’ve been very busy and people seem so enthusiastic and thrilled we have this new, beautiful library,” Hancock said. “We’ve seen the same people on multiple days, so I know it’s going to be well used.”
In the teen room, youths were using their last Friday before school starts playing a video game called Super Smash Brothers.
In the kid’s room, parents joined their children as they chose books to read.
All in all, it was a great first week for the new library, even if there were few special programs offered as everyone who worked there was busy getting things up and running.
For those coming to the library for the first time, it was a feast for the eyes.
Kathy Harmon, of North Fort Myers, brought her granddaughter to the library to check out some Dr. Seuss books and said the building was beautiful.
“The way they rearranged everything and the kids can have their own sections, they can be by themselves, sit down and read,” Harmon said. “The old building was OK, but it was all cramped. This is more spacious and beautiful.”
The common theme many people talked about was how spacious it was compared to the other locations. Combined with the high ceilings and the ability to bring in natural light, it almost felt like the great outdoors.
“It’s everything we had hoped for. It’s accessible and wide open. You were always cramped in the old one,” said Bobbie Robertson, who brought her husband, Don, to renew his library card. “It’s great that we have a library that we can be proud of.”
Things are going to ramp up starting this week. Coloring for grown-ups started Monday and will happen again on Aug. 26 at 1 p.m.
Chess, which started last week, will be offered at 3 p.m. on Wednesdays, while knitting and crochet fans will enjoy the knitting nook on Friday, Aug. 16 and 30, at 10 a.m.
The littlest kids, who don’t have school to worry about, get to enjoy family storytime at 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 28.
September will feature a second grand opening celebration geared toward the community on Saturday, Sept. 7, at 10 a.m.
“We’re going to start modest at first in August and with greater force in September,” Hancock said. “We’re so happy to see this come to fruition.”