No set opening date for library

Residents will have to wait a little longer before they can step inside the new East Bank Regional Library.

The library system had originally hoped that the 39,655-square-foot building would be finished by the end of 2009, but later pushed that date back to the beginning of 2010.

Right now, carpeting is still being installed in the building.

“Furniture began arriving in the building last Wednesday,” Librarian Mary desBordes said. “However, there are still outstanding items that need to be completed before we can begin moving the collection and staff in, which could possibly take place in February.”

desBordes said that this delay is not unusual for the end of a building project because all of the little delays that take place during the life of a project add up.

“I know that the contractor is working hard to finish the project and the architect has been working hard to make sure everything is completed,” desBordes said. “But right now, we don’t have a set opening date.”

desBordes also said that the library will likely open for the public before an official opening ceremony takes place.

“When the building is ready to go, we want people to be able to take advantage of all that it offers,” she said.

Though the building will be two stories, the first floor will house all of the public areas. This will include both a large children’s area and a dedicated room just for the youngsters. A separate children’s room will give younger kids a place to take part in the library’s many different activities, such as interactive story time sessions. Along with the dedicated space for kids, there will also be a separate area just for the teens. In this area, which will have all of the age-specific books, teens can congregate to read.

As for computers, which is one of the main reasons that residents of all ages visit the library, there will be double the amount that are currently in any parish library.

The library will also have five study rooms and two meeting rooms. The small meeting room will hold 20 people, while the larger room will hold 70.

The second floor of the library will hold all of the administrative offices, including the technical services department that will order books for the entire library system.