Finish line in sight for new library
Innovation Center will be more than just a building full of books
By JOHN RECH
news@theeveningtimes.com
What’s in a name? The new West Memphis Library won’t be like what most adults remember from school. The new building took the new sign West Memphis Public Library and Innovation Center last week. Just like the new name indicated, changes in what the library offers were coming.
City officials and members of the library board toured the building earlier this week. The building inspection measured construction progress, displayed the innovative work space for library patrons and verified an opening date. The $4,000,000 project funded by the library tax and the parks bond issue was on schedule.
‘We hope for the construction to finish on time by the end of November to early December,” said Library Director Rebecca Bledsoe. “Libraries are no longer just houses for books. They are places where the community can gather.”
That was exactly what the tour group saw. Inside the a versatile meeting space was unveiled. Banks of
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Officials toured the new West Memphis Library and Innovation Center Tuesday. The group heard construction remained on schedule with a finish date near the end of November or early December. The new facade done in a contemporary grey brick, tinted glass and wood stood at 500 East Broadway.
Photo by John Rech LIBRARY
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computers will be set up for online researching for a town population struggling with connectivity levels. Of course. shelves of new books hearken to the traditional library. A coffee bar and big glass windows look across the street to the West Memphis landmark, the award winning sculpture Watershed. A World War I memorial tree was set to be transplanted from the old library to its new home at 500 East Broadway.
City of_cials were busy with _nal details. Former City Engineer, now Metropolitan Planning Organization Study Director Amanda Hicks presented a $3,700 alarm service installment agreement to city council during the last city council meeting in October. Council passed the expenditure request.
