After nearly 18 months of construction, Richland Library is reopening the doors to its Southeast location on Friday, April 12. The roughly 19,000 square-foot structure, located at 7421 Garners Ferry Road, offers customers enhanced spaces, such as:
A Covered Courtyard
Part of the parking lot was converting into a more than 7,000 square-foot Courtyard. The outdoor space is the perfect spot to sit and read a book, access WiFi or enjoy a program. The ground will be painted in the next couple weeks to complete the space.
New Makerspace
Many of the library branches now contain maker spaces, where kids and adults can “tinker, experiment and create with tools in both guided and open lab sessions.” There are high-resolution photo scanning station, sewing machines, DIY STEAM projects and more. Currently, you can learn to make your own buttons!
A New Children’s Area with Adjoining Nursing Lounge
Located at the front of the library, the new children’s section is bright and colorful. Inspire lifelong learning, get your kids ready for kindergarten or build reading muscles in this inviting area. Like many of the renovated branches, the Southeast library also has a nursing lounge located right next to their children’s area.
A Multisensory Room
Unique to the Southeast branch, there is a multisensory room located adjacent to the children’s area. Let the adjustable lighting, bubble tubes, weighted blankets, manipulatives and more create a soothing, sensory experience. It is meant to be a calming room especially designed for people on the autism spectrum. Patrons may reserve the room for up to five people at a time.
Multiple Seating Areas
The library now features multiple seating areas – perfect for cozying up to read a new book. They even offer board games for visitors to play on nearby tables.
A Teen Gaming Lab
One of the most exciting new features is a teen gaming lab. Test out the latest consoles, join a gaming tournament or challenge your friends to a tabletop game. It’s perfect for beginners and seasoned pros. There are two gaming systems and video games to borrow, as well as popular teen board games. Currently the space is available for walk-ins, although eventually they may require reservations.
Updated Computer Area
The library features an updated computer area for patrons to research and work.
