Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
Even with Warsaw Community Public Library's renovation still going on, increases in public access are evident.
The new construction is nearly completed, but the original structure has more renovation work to be done.
Meanwhile, library registration has increased from 11,930 in 1997 to 14,121 in 1998.
The usual circulation ranges from 25,000 to 30,000 items per month, but this past January was an improvement, placing the number closer to 34,000 items.
WCPL's vision statement reads: "To provide quality customer services, promote reading, and encourage life-long learning using an accessible collection."
With the key word being accessible, the library has expanded to meet the needs of patrons in and around community, according to library director Ann Zydek.
Although the library is growing from 13,000 square feet to 42,000 square feet, with a current available size of 26,000, it is expanding in more ways than size. With a T1 Internet connection housed in the building, the library can now offer Internet access to the World Wide Web and other Internet-based library facilities.
A new meeting room, able to house 75 persons, is now available as well. The meeting room has been needed since the previous room was forced to close because of the Americans With Disabilities Act of 1990. A lift inside the entrance door makes the room accessible to everyone, including those with disabilities.
The new audio-video room now holds interactive multimedia materials for the public to check out. For avid music and movie fans, the A-V room still holds a large collection of cassette tapes, CDs, books on tape and many classic and contemporary movies.
Also available are three small meeting rooms, ideal for small group meetings; a "young adult room," and another large meeting room.
The original fireplace remains and is located in the genealogy and history room, which is yet to be completed.
