With the help of a private donation, the Parker Library is
receiving some much needed renovations.
When it opened in 1996, the Parker Library served a population
of 20,000 people. Currently the library serves a population of
about 84,000. The renovations will allow the library to expand the
children’s area and update the entry area.
Sharon Nemechek, manager of the Parker Library, said the
children’s area will be divided into sections: a toddler section, a
youth section and a homework section. Parents with toddlers will
now have room to sit with their kids and read in area dedicated
just for the toddlers, Nemechek said.
“About 46 percent of our circulation is in the children’s
section so there is a definite need for expansion in that area,”
she said. “Also with the changes we can bring storytime back to the
children’s area, which will also relieve the use of one of the
community rooms allowing groups to use the room more often.”
The homework section will have a juvenile non-fiction book
section to help kids find books needed for homework and school
projects. Computers also will be added to this section.
All of the changes will be done internally with no additions
being built to the current building. Douglas County Libraries
Director Jamie LaRue said after two failed attempts by voters to
address the space issues in and outside of the building the best
alternative was to re-imagine the space.
“Thanks to a private donation, we’ll be able to do a makeover at
almost half the price,” he said. “It will probably be at least five
years before we'll be able to do any more significant improvements
to the building, so it's important to wring as much use out of this
one as we can. Meanwhile, pardon our dust while we retool.”
Changes:
Story times at Parker Library are cancelled through Oct. 5.
Beginning October 6, story times will be offered at 9:30 a.m. for
baby lap-sit, and 10:15 a.m. for all ages on Tuesdays, Wednesdays
and Thursdays at The Gallery at the Mainstreet Center.
The book sale room will be closed through Nov. 30 and no book
donations will be accepted through Nov. 15.
