Friday, May 27, 2005

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Wall problem pushes library completion date back

New building will feature more natural light, reuse furniture

By JOHN MUNFORD
jmunford@TheCitizenNews.com

The completion date for Peachtree City’s newly revamped library has been pushed back to October 7, thanks to trouble caused by an existing interior wall that needed to be rebuilt, officials said.

Once done, though, the library will feature a dramatic increase in natural light compared to the library’s previous layout, said Jill Prouty, the library’s manager of technology and training. A large expanse of glass along the adult section of the library will provide a nice scenic view of the lake area, Prouty said.

In addition to a greatly expanded children’s section, the new library will also feature a “cafe” for teens that will include a vending area, a computer, wireless internet access and unique furniture, Prouty said. The furniture for that area is being specially chosen to make it a comfortable place for teens, she noted.

Also, there will be a path leading to the new parking lot, and along that path will be picnic tables, Prouty added.

Although officials are in the process of working on furniture selection, much of the library’s current furniture and fixtures will be re-used, Prouty said. Bookshelves will get a coat of paint and laminate, and all returning furniture will be refinished with new fabric.

Prouty estimated that 70 percent of the furniture will be re-used, but the library will still “look totally new,” she said.

The expansion of the children’s section alone will be a major plus, Prouty said.

“The parents are going to love it,” Prouty said. “It’s going to be very child-friendly.”

Another feature that won’t be seen but will be improved upon is the library’s wireless internet access, which will expand from just one port to three or four, Prouty added. That ultimately will mean more connections for library patrons who bring along their wireless-equipped laptops or personal digital assistants.

And of course there will be plenty of computers to log onto as well, she noted.

But one of the best features, the sheer size of the expanded building, is one that can’t easily be put into words, Prouty said. A trip to the construction site last week just about took her breath away as she could begin to imagine just how much more room library patrons will have to enjoy.

Prouty credited Leslie Contracting and Leo A. Daly, the architecture firm, for working well with the city on the project.