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04/29/2020 09:00 AMWhile the ongoing pandemic has altered, delayed, or cast into doubt a large number of projects and dates, the E.C. Scranton Memorial Library has been quietly working toward its long-planned July 1 opening, with major construction having wrapped up before March.
Vendors are currently in the process of bringing in technology, furniture, decorations, and all the other amenities that will make the library a fully functioning new town asset—allowing in just one vendor at a time, however, to ensure proper social distancing, according to Library Director Sunnie Scarpa.
Though there is still a large amount of uncertainty around what social gathering restrictions will still be in place come summer, Scarpa said the library intends to be open in some capacity on that July 1 date, though what exactly that looks could vary, with options including some sort of book take-out system or an opening without any large events or programs.
Scarpa said that while there are certain aspects of putting together the finishing touches on the building have been hampered by the pandemic, other things have actually been easier or faster.
Opportunities, Possibilities, and Resources
With 30,000 new square feet—essentially doubling the library’s size—much of the new space and rooms are effectively finished, and Scarpa detailed some of the opportunities, possibilities, and resources the new library will be able to offer.
Accessing the new library space from the rear parking lot first opens into a foyer with doors leading to two large community rooms: one that Scarpa said is sized and built like a classroom, with desks and chairs in lines, and another, much larger room that has the flexibility to be used for everything from art shows to clubs or office parties.
These rooms will be used both for library programming and by the community, Scarpa said.
The Madison Art Society has already inquired about holding its larger shows in this space, using the foyer as well as the two rooms. Scarpa said it is actually possible for people to reserve this room outside of regular library hours under certain circumstances, as the whole small wing can be locked away from the main building.
The first floor of the new library spans a wide-open, well-lit space that will contain the bulk of adult fiction. A handful of smaller reading rooms are accessible from here, along with a very special, high-ceilinged nook that Scarpa said has been unofficially referred to as the “skylight reading room,” buttressed on one side the outer brick wall of the old library building and bathed in natural light.
According to Scarpa, the lighting of the library was one of the first things she was able to personally get involved in when she was hired as library director last year, and it’s something of which she is proud in the new space, with both natural and artificial light that creates “an immediate sense of homey-ness and environment that really makes you feel comfortable.”
Another unique space will be a tribute to the East River Reading Room, a mini-library on Route One that served Madison for about 150 years before being sold in 2017, with proceeds going to the library. Scarpa said this room in the new library will house the library’s collection on local history and will include furniture or decorations from the original East River Reading Room.
Also on the first floor, the library is adding a café space, not to serve food or coffee, but for those who want to grab a drink or snack from downtown and enjoy it while reading their books or newspaper. Scarpa said she expects this to be popular with seniors early in the morning, serving as a casual socializing space.
Two rooms that will allow the library to greatly expand the type of programming it can put on are “maker spaces”—rooms with durable, easily cleaned floors intended to absorb messiness and flexible, open designs.
One, which connects to the new children’s wing, opens up a huge number of possibilities for children’s programming, Scarpa said, from painting and glitter-related projects to science and technology.
Having these dedicated spaces are not only good for expanding the library’s ability to offer new events and programs, but will also save time and labor costs overall, with less cleaning and setup.
‘A Chance to Meet’
All the new programming and possibilities are really driving home the library’s philosophy of connecting people, whether that means bringing residents together who have common interests, or helping people expand their interests, knowledge, or practical skills.
“All this space means you have a chance to meet people who are not like you, who are interested in things that are different than you—people you might not meet in your day-to-day life,” Scarpa said. “And that’s a really unique opportunity, too.”
The new library will also include, for the first time, an entirely separate wing for children’s books and activities. Scarpa said the design of this new wing, from the lighting and carpeting to the chairs and floor-pads, are meant to give children a sense of welcome and fun, with a vaguely ocean-esque design full of calming blues and curvy shapes.
The library will re-open will many other modern amenities, including self-checkout, wi-fi printing, and an energy-efficient infrastructure, according to Scarpa.
But she added that the space itself, with all these rooms and resources and infrastructure, will make the new library the place residents asked for when they approved the roughly $10 million renovation.
“When I walk in and feel the space, my mind is full of possibilities,” Scarpa said. “We came up with a new logo and a new motto when I first started. And it’s ‘Let Us Connect You.’ I really see that coming to life here...We can connect you to spaces that inspire you, people who are on the same path as you, new ideas, new experiences. I’m just really excited.”