North Liberty Community Library celebrates grand opening

The ribbon is cut on at the newly expanded North Liberty Public Library on Sunday, September, 8, 2013 in North Liberty, Iowa. The library has just completed a $3.4 million expansion and has nearly tripled in size. (Adam Wesley/The Gazette-KCRG TV9)

Hushed voices are the typical volume of chatter at most libraries, but on Sunday the newly-expanded North Liberty Community Library was abuzz with families and children relishing the improved space.

Community leaders say the expanded library coincides with the rapidly expanding community and with nearly triple the space of the previous library, theres room for everyone.

Our goal was to have space for everyone and not have everyone on top of each other, said Jennie Garner, assistant library director.

The $3.4 million expansion gave more reading and bookshelf space for patrons of all ages and added a teen lounge, a childrens story time space, meeting rooms, more comfortable seating and additional technology.

Although the library, located in the North Liberty Community Center, had a small opening Aug. 12, a grand opening and ribbon cutting ceremony was held for the community on Sunday to check out the space while enjoying refreshments and childrens activities including a scavenger hunt and story time with local readers.

Garner said shes seen a stream of locals pop in to check out the nearly 18,000 square feet of space and enjoys their reaction to the upgrade. The librarys previous location was 1,400 square feet of space adjacent to the North Liberty Fire Station.

Its fun to see people just walk in and say wow, she said.

For Janet Peterson and her 5-year-old grandson, Trevor Peterson, the librarys re-opening is a relief.

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North Liberty Community Library celebrates grand opening