SANDUSKY - Nearly a decade ago, Sandusky Library officials had a vision.
It included a state-of-the-art computer center where adult classes could be held and a research center to house local history records. Plush chairs in which to read would be available as would quiet rooms for study.
And they envisioned a colorful children's area complete with a story-time room decorated with a castle. It would have a miniature checkout counter, just big enough for their little customers.
Eight years after the planning began, the remodeled and expanded library was opened for the first time to the public. Nearly 1,500 people were expected to walk through the library's front doors yesterday to celebrate its reopening.
“What a day,” said library director Julie Brooks as she watched hundreds of people file up the steps to the library's main level.
Construction of the $10 million expansion began in 2001 - three years after voters approved a 25-year bond issue to pay for the majority of the work. The final $2.7 million necessary to complete the project was raised privately.
Refurbishing the original library, a 102-year-old building known as the first Andrew Carnegie library in the state, was the final phase of the project. The completed facility is made up of the old library, a renovation of the county's original jail, and a 31,000-square-foot addition to connect the two.
Library Development Coordinator Barb Bishop said the upgrades offer more opportunities for the 48,000 cardholders in Sandusky, Perkins Township, Margaretta Township, and Kelleys Island.
The library was closed for several weeks while staff members reshelved 200,000 books, videotapes, and other materials. Although portions of the library remained open during construction, yesterday's reopening marked the first chance residents had to see the entire 62,000-square-foot facility.
Robert and Rita Schrader of Sandusky were among the first to arrive for yesterday's gala. Ms. Schrader said she's been coming to the library for years to select novels. Yesterday, she looked forward to seeing the children's area.
It was a similar curiosity that caused longtime friends Katie Zimmerman and Phyllis Hughes to pack themselves in the crowded library. Ms. Zimmerman, 74, said she used to work at the library and was pleased to see the support it continues to attract from the community.
Erica Hasan, 13, was surprised to see the line outside the door. She said she had never been to the library and had no idea that a celebration would be going on when she and her four cousins arrived.
“We were at home and were bored so we walked down here to get some books,” she said admiring the spacious room and high ceilings. “I can see coming here more.”
First Published January 12, 2004, 12:50 p.m.
