Bell Library Moves Into New Facility
July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.
MENTONE - Light flows into the spacious confines of Mentone's Bell Memorial Public Library.
"It's just like, wow," board of trustees president Cal Jackson said of the move from cramped quarters in the 2,670-square-foot block building at 306 Broadway to the former Frank Manufacturing building on the corner of Main Street and Broadway.
Now patrons and staff have 8,131 square feet, including a second floor, in which to browse and work.
Entering a building decorated in inviting natural colors, visitors are greeted by an open atrium with natural light from a row of second-story windows.
Librarian Lorna Klein has plans for that space.
"I'd love to see a scale model of a Bell helicopter there," she said.
The old library was built with a $20,000 grant to the town from the estate of Lawrence D. Bell, Mentone native and famous aviator. Bell requested the money be used for a suitable memorial to his parents, Isaac and Harriet Sarber Bell.
The town council decided to establish a new library, naming it in the Bells' memory.
"It's so beautiful," Klein said of the rehabilitated factory. "It's so large, people just come by to see it. We've had visitors from all over the country."
More visitors will stream in this weekend as Mentone hosts its annual Egg Festival.
In addition to the library, a senior center and day care will be housed in the 14,362-square-foot building.
Each year the Chamber of Commerce's festival committee designates a recipient of various fund-raising efforts.
This year the library, senior center and day care will benefit from the proceeds.
Patrons of all ages can enjoy the main library, the young adult area and the children's library, where the little ones have a room all their own.
Klein can't wait to get the summer reading program, Camp USA, started.
"We can have book clubs, discussion and writers groups," she said of future plans.
The library closed for two weeks in April to reopen April 28.
Both Jackson and Klein expressed their gratitude for the Friends of the Library group. [[In-content Ad]]
MENTONE - Light flows into the spacious confines of Mentone's Bell Memorial Public Library.
"It's just like, wow," board of trustees president Cal Jackson said of the move from cramped quarters in the 2,670-square-foot block building at 306 Broadway to the former Frank Manufacturing building on the corner of Main Street and Broadway.
Now patrons and staff have 8,131 square feet, including a second floor, in which to browse and work.
Entering a building decorated in inviting natural colors, visitors are greeted by an open atrium with natural light from a row of second-story windows.
Librarian Lorna Klein has plans for that space.
"I'd love to see a scale model of a Bell helicopter there," she said.
The old library was built with a $20,000 grant to the town from the estate of Lawrence D. Bell, Mentone native and famous aviator. Bell requested the money be used for a suitable memorial to his parents, Isaac and Harriet Sarber Bell.
The town council decided to establish a new library, naming it in the Bells' memory.
"It's so beautiful," Klein said of the rehabilitated factory. "It's so large, people just come by to see it. We've had visitors from all over the country."
More visitors will stream in this weekend as Mentone hosts its annual Egg Festival.
In addition to the library, a senior center and day care will be housed in the 14,362-square-foot building.
Each year the Chamber of Commerce's festival committee designates a recipient of various fund-raising efforts.
This year the library, senior center and day care will benefit from the proceeds.
Patrons of all ages can enjoy the main library, the young adult area and the children's library, where the little ones have a room all their own.
Klein can't wait to get the summer reading program, Camp USA, started.
"We can have book clubs, discussion and writers groups," she said of future plans.
The library closed for two weeks in April to reopen April 28.
Both Jackson and Klein expressed their gratitude for the Friends of the Library group. [[In-content Ad]]