By Dan Shriner
Review Editor
The Orion Township Public Library has some new kid-friendly spaces and even a thing or two for adults inside its recently-remodeled digs.
The library has long been a popular spot for kids and their parents but the new renovations and additions are just begging to be enjoyed by kids of all ages.
Improvements include self-checkout stations that allow patrons to borrow and return books and other items more easily. It also includes some computer stations for smaller children and their parents and caregivers. The costs were kept within budget and are expected to be close to $300,000.
According to library director Karen Knox, the new improvements have been greeted with some great feedback and positive signs.
The self-checkout stations allow patrons to scan books or other items that can be taken out and quickly get patrons on their way. The library staff had to put RFID tags on everything that can be checked out so that it could be used in the automated checkout system.
The new stations have been in place only since December. In the first month, about a third of items were checked out with the self-checkout kiosks. By January, the number rose to 40 percent and in February it was 50 percent.
‘This was a really good sign and told us that it was something that the public wanted,? Knox said.
Of course, those who are not comfortable with the self-checkout kiosks may still have a worker assist them. Knox said that in the past there were sometimes long lines to check out items.
The improvements came about from a strategic planning process conducted by the library. A consultant put together a plan to identity the wants and needs.
‘We wanted to learn what the community wanted,? Knox said. ‘We talked to stakeholders and others in the community and received over 900 responses to our online survey.?
Decisions were made to use between $250,000 to $300,000 that the library receives from funds raised from its 1.4189 millage and get to work.
‘The biggest and loudest thing to come out of it was that we needed to update our space,? Knox said.
First, the lobby was renovated. This included ripping up the 25-year-old carpet that has been in the building since it opened. It was replaced with tile.
It also included some fresh paint and other improvements. There are some new kinds of seating that have built in electrical service.
‘We wanted the lobby to be a warm and welcome environment,? Knox said.
As part of that, the area was given a more of an open environment with several choices visible when one walks in the main entrance.
One of the choices was for a coffee-like seating area.
‘We wanted a feel of an informal caf?-style seating. Previously we had a simple coffee machine. We have one now that has different selections. ?
Another area in the lobby was dedicated to the Friends of the Library, providing more racks available for used book sales by the Friends.
‘I know it has benefitted them already,? Knox said.
Next, the youth area was made into a state-of-the-art learning and play center for teens and younger children, their parents and caregivers.
Knox said the library was seeking a distinction and working with a grant to make a ‘family place library.? They created what is called an early literacy zone but also made it something that any child can enjoy, from playing non-video games with others to reading to enjoying computers.
The early learning area is designed to assist parents and caregivers with pre-schoolers, from kids only a few months old to age five.
There are computers and seating, for example, that allow for parents to sit together with the smallest children at computers and work together.
Older youth can enjoy the computer stations, and also some of the iPad stations and other fun activities.
The renovation required some redesign of the seating areas and new furniture. Of course, the old carpeting was ripped out and new seating was put in place, too, as well as bright paint on the walls.
There are stacks of children’s books that are placed lower to the ground and with the fronts of the books facing out so that little children can more readily see the book to choose ones to read.
Some of the popular library goodies, such as movies, audio books and DVDs were moved from the adult section into the children’s area.
‘The library is becoming a gathering place. Sometimes you have to make room and put in tables and chairs,? Knox said. ‘Older kids will want to hang out here, too.?
Knox said she was pleased with all of the work that has been done to stay within budget. She said Mike Morris, head of facilities at the library, did quite a bit of the remodeling to help save money.
Knox monitored the contractors throughout the process to keep things moving and within budget. She said the community was very patient with the renovations, that began in late October and were only recently completed.
Next, Knox said she hoped that the adult sections of the library can be renovated in the near future.
‘Everyone was very patient and they can now enjoy what had been done,? she said.