Sneak Peek: Wichita's new Advanced Learning Library to open in June

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WICHITA, Kan. (KAKE) -

If you're looking for a peaceful place to read or work, or just want to get the kids out, start freeing up some calendar space in June. 

"We think that we've created something that will be a unique future service," said Cynthia Berner, Director of Libraries for City of Wichita. 

Central Library is closing its doors for good May 6th and moving across from Century II.

Berner has been working at Central since 1992. She says the new Advanced Learning Library is bigger, brighter and will be more flexible and tech savvy.

"We've gone from something that's been very quiet and very passive to something very engaging," she explained. 

The project totals more than $30 million. It's partially funded by the City of Wichita and the Wichita Public Library Foundation.

 "Not only do we want the building to be a learning place as libraries are but we want the building itself to broadify those opportunities," said Berner.

Some of the new things include an automated book return system, a collaboration room for large events and a video wall.

"It's 16 monitors so we can do 16 different images. We can do one large image obviously, but then we can do any kind of variation," said Digital Service Manager Jeff Tate. "The eclipse that happened last year, we could've had a live stream up in one corner with four of the monitors with four different feeds from NASA."

The library will also have a coffee cafe and a children's pavilion where kids can play games. 

"If we have families that are here and an older child is in a program and a younger sibling is getting a little fussy, rather than being disruptive to that program, that adult and that younger child can come in here," said Berner. 

The library will be located at 711 West Second Street. It's set to open mid-June. Berner says an official date will be released in the coming weeks. 

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