DELTA, Ohio Patrons no longer need to keep a hand free to get in. Not only does a new main entrance to the Delta Public Library have a better sight line from the circulation desk, but its doors are operated entirely by motion sensors.

We have an elderly lady who takes out a lot of books, and she often comes in with two bags of materials to bring back, library director Patricia Grover said. Now she no longer has to put one down to open the door.

Similarly, the new entrance is family friendly in that parents can keep their hands on small children instead of having to grab for the door, the library director said.

The new entrance, built slightly to the west of the old one, cost about $93,000 and took about 90 days to build. The money came from unused funds in other library accounts, Ms. Grover said.

Space made surplus from the old entrance s removal has been added to an adjoining storage room, which in turn allowed library staff to clear an activity room of stored library material.

First Published February 3, 2009, 10:04 p.m.