Springfield Public Library Reopens with Improvements and Renovations

September 24, 2024

Last Thursday, September 19th, was a special day for the Springfield Public Library. Having been closed three weeks for renovations and upgrades, Springfield’s only public library reopened with a special ribbon cutting ceremony by the Springfield Chamber of Commerce. Springfield’s Mayor Sean VanGordon, City Council members, Chamber staff, and a great many public supporters were in attendance.

KEY RENOVATION IMPROVEMENTS

Three new public meeting spaces designed for community gatherings:

Meetings or study space for up to six people.
New tables and large screens (coming soon).
Can be reserved via the Library website. From the homepage find the “Reserve a space” link in the box on the right margin.

A dedicated teen area for focused study and socializing:

Original teen space from when the library first opened in 1981; the space is twice as large as the recent teen area, allowing more teens to use the area at one time.
New furniture (coming soon).
Less noise in the library due to separation from the adult computer area and general collections areas; noise buffers on the walls also are designed to absorb noise.
Teen fiction, graphic novel, and manga collections are shelved here; teen nonfiction and media are housed with the general collections.

Improved accessibility for patrons and better access to collections:

New shelves for large print and adult graphic novels are located in the center of the library, making them easier to find.
Media collection moved to center of library with easy accessible shelving.
Short cut from the kids and tweens area to the previous teen area was closed, allowing us to add new shelves and realign the shelves in an open pattern that makes them easier to navigate for patrons in wheelchairs or pushing strollers.

Reimagined Kids and Tweens area, featuring a more convenient checkout system:

More shelves added to picture book area. These were greatly needed as the collection was packed on the shelves.
Reorientation of shelves for continuous flow/easier access for wheelchairs and strollers.
New, smaller service desk and expanded Play and Learn area.

Expanded book sale space, supported by the Friends of the Springfield Library and History Museum:

Provides the Friends with a more visible and larger location.
The Friends store and annual Book Sale in March provide over $20,000 of funding for the Library and Museum each year.

A modernized front service desk, offering an improved experience for both staff and visitors:

Smaller desk space footprint allowing for the Friends Store to move upfront, while creating a more efficient workspace.
Printer now accessible for the public to retrieve their prints (once released by staff).
Separates the two library card locations so that staff are not talking over each other.
Book drop and check-in moved off the front desk so that staff can focus on serving library users in that space.

The Springfield Public Library is committed to serving the community with excellence, fostering an environment where everyone belongs. These renovations reflect the Library’s dedication to equity, inclusion, and accessibility, ensuring that every member of the Springfield community can connect, learn, and grow through the Library’s resources.

For their support and contributions to the renovation and the ceremony, Library Director Emily David would like to thank: City of Springfield leadership and City Council for dedicating some of the ARPA funding for the library remodel; Pivot Architecture; Bridgeway Remodeling; Jim Polston, project manager for COS; City facilities and custodial crew; Library Advisory Board, who planned the celebration; Springfield Public Library Foundation, who gave funds for new furniture; Friends of the Springfield Public Library and History Museum, who worked to relocate their store and provided all the goodies for the event; Northwest Community Credit Union, who supplied the raffle baskets for the reopening and National Library Card Month; the many volunteers who helped shift and move materials during the move; and the amazing library staff “who did it all and more.”

Be sure to visit the renovated Springfield Public Library and see what’s improved!