Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
The Warsaw Community Public Library is closing in on its official unveiling of the newly renovated $5.9-million facility.
Along with a new look, the library is offering new services and programs to bring the residents of Warsaw and Kosciusko County a "Window on the World," which is the theme for the Sept. 13-19 dedication festivities.
According to Larry Chamberlain, board of trustees member, the library staff is very enthusiastic about the upcoming dedication of the new 41,000-square-foot building and participating in the week-long celebration of the new building.
"The staff is getting very excited about the grand opening and to highlight all the new features of the library," he said.
One of those new features is the entryway to the Indiana Room, which will contain the library's genealogical section. The stained glass was retained from the old Masonic Temple that was razed as a part of the expansion/renovation project. The room also contains the original fireplace from the 1917 library.
Ann Zydek, library director, said the new children's section was designed to stimulate the imagination.
"We wanted to have a special children's area. We have a reading boat and turtle there to promote the children's imagination," she said.
The children's section also contains a "story-telling room," complete with a puppet-show stage.
"This room should make the statement to the community that we are making a major commitment to the children of the county, both in terms of acquisition and space," Chamberlain said.
To further show that commitment, Chamberlain said, the top readers from the area schools will participate in the ribbon-cutting ceremony Sept. 13.
Other features of the new library include two quiet study rooms, a new public meeting room with a seating capacity of 150, and a program/distance learning room that also seats 150.
The Information Services Dept. is offering complete Internet access both to the library resources and from the library to the vast information network, according to Jo Ann Byers, public relations director for the library.
"Patrons can access the library's Dynix computer system through the Internet to check on the availability and put holds on materials they'd like to check out," she said.
Other technological advancements available through the renovation include video-conferencing capabilities and Internet access in all the meeting rooms.
The following events highlight the dedication-week festivities:
• Sept. 13 - 2 p.m., dedication ceremony. Keynote speaker, state Sen. Kent Adams, 3-5 p.m.; open house.
• Sept. 14 - Tours of the new building will be offered all day. Awarded-winning chef and author Marcia Adams will be autographing her sixth book, "New Recipes from Quilt Country" at 7 p.m.; local coaches Phil Jensen, Corey Rose and Jim Kessler will present the seminar, "How to Play Well in Your Sport" at 7 p.m.; Dana Owen, head of information services, will teach the class "Finding a College/ Starting a Career" from 7-8:30 p.m. A WCPL Internet card in required.
• Sept. 15 - 7 p.m., "So You Want to be a Coach" seminar, conducted by coach Al Rhodes.
• Sept. 16 - 7:30 p.m., Riley painting unveiling and Genealogy Room dedications. Selected poems by James Whitcomb Riley will be read.
