Kent Memorial Library now operating out of temporary quarters

Reminder News
Check out temporary digs for Kent Memorial Library

It's not as large as Kent Memorial Library, but library staff are confident that 61 Ffyler Place will serve as an adequate temporary location. The library has moved computers, magazines and books into the six rooms that the town is renting in the building. It will be the library's home for nine months or so, as the library building is renovated.

A grand opening was held at the temporary quarters on Nov. 8. "I'm really happy with it," said Jackie Hemond, the library's executive director. "We couldn't bring everything. The bulk of the books are still in the library and we can't access them once construction work begins. But we have inter-library loans, digital books and ancestry.com. We'll still have programs and movies."

There is a children's room, a teen area, a computer room and a reading room, as well as rooms filled with books in the temporary library. Hemond and other staff have moved their offices there, as well.

The grand opening was also Kent Memorial Library's 115th birthday, so kids and adults enjoyed birthday cake, popcorn and balloons, along with entertainment by magician Magic Al and a train that gave rides around the building. The Aces High Robotic Team demonstrated their robot.

Children's Librarian Wendy Taylor said the library will be able to maintain its hours at the temporary location, but there will be some changes. The annual Polar Express and Gingerbread events will be moved to Second Baptist Church, and the weekly movies will be shown several times.

"Our auditorium in the library seats about 70, but here we only have 10 to 15 seats," she said. "So we will show the movie all week long to accommodate as many people as possible."

Taylor said small groups, such as book discussion groups and the Socrates Club, will be able to meet in the temporary location. Eight of the computers also made the move.

Taylor said the Ffyler Place location is larger than the one in town hall they occupied during the last renovation and it will allow the library to maintain its regular hours. The Department of Public Works is just down the street, so they don't anticipate any problems with getting the road plowed in the winter. The parking lot is level with the building entrance and handicapped spaces are located near the door.

Visitors were pleased with the temporary library.

"It's wonderful," said Judy Ahrens. "They have it all set up. It's a fine place for a temporary time."

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