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Library back in business By Amber Fossen Ashland Daily Tidings The Ashland Public Library is now ready for some of its smallest patrons. The remodel of the old Carnegie portion of the library is finished, complete with new books, a fresh look and plenty of crawling space for local children. "I'm as happy as I could be," children's librarian Walt Wright said Monday, as he looked around the revamped 100-year-old Carnegie facility. The new forest-green carpet and coffee colored walls blend well with the original wood bookshelves that line the walls. The cozy feel is complete with a fireplace setting that replaced the area where stand-up computers were previously located. Geared for children up to sixth grade, the restored Children's Library portion features computers, deep seat chairs, and small round tables perfect for young readers. While the facility appears larger, Wright said it's not. "It's exactly the same size as it was when it was first built, it just seems larger because of the way the shelves are spaced," he said, adding the facility allows for future growth. The 100-year-old Carnegie edifice also has a staff break room and new bathrooms to accommodate visitors. During the lengthy remodeling phase, many of the children's books were pulled from the library due to lack of space. According to Amy Blossom, reference librarian, most of the Children's Library's books have been preserved in storage since last July. "A little less than half were here and the rest were in a Talent storage shed," Blossom said, adding the library was shut down May 5 through Monday so the staff could move everything into the new building. A voter-approved, $4.2 million bond allowed for the completion of the library's children's section in addition to completing the library's extension. Among the first to visit the new Children's Library Monday were Ashland residents Teresa Safay and her three-year-old daughter, Gabriela. "We're excited it's open," Safay said. "We've been waiting a long time." Safay and her daughter spent some time reading and relaxing next to the fireplace, observing the remodeled building. "It's beautiful," Safay said. "I remember it being dark and dingy. "It hardly seems possible that this was big enough for a whole library before," she said. Both the new extension and revamped Carnegie facility are open to the public. However, a grand opening ceremony for the entire library will be held from 2 to 4 p.m., Sunday, June 1. LINKS: DAILY TIDINGS: Main | News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Opinion | Columnists | AP News | Subscribe | Archives | Weather | Classifieds | Contact Us | Privacy REVELS: Main | Calendar | Dining | Movies | T.V. OTHER: Road Cams Copyright 2003 Ashland Daily Tidings 541.482.3456. 1661 Siskiyou Blvd., Ashland, OR 97520. Ottaway Newspapers, Inc. - Advertisers -