Library Expansion Program Update - Palm Beach County Library System

Library Expansion Program Update

West Boca:	A Groundbreaking Ceremony for Palm Beach County Library System's new West Boca Branch Library was held on Wednesday, November 28, 2007. The new West Boca Branch will be a 20,000 sq. ft. facility that is designed for future expansion to 40,000 sq. ft., and is situated in a beautiful park-like setting with scenic water views. The facility is scheduled to open in December 2008, and will feature:
	Computer Access: 30 Internet and word processing computers in the adult, children and teen areas. In addition library catalog computers will be available throughout the building. Laptop computers for training will be provided in the meeting room. Free wireless access will be available throughout the building. Meeting room space: three meeting rooms – a large room accommodating 70 people, a smaller conference room and a room for children’s programming with seating for 50. A variety of materials: new shelving to allow for more DVDs, CDs and audiobooks. Study space: more quiet space including 3 private study rooms and a larger group study room. Customer service: two express check out stations will be available to allow for fast, efficient service. Space for young people: themed area designed especially for young adults with ample room for materials and comfortable seating. Parking: 136 parking spaces Accessibility: drive-up materials return, in addition to interior and exterior walk-up returns, wider aisles and lower shelves to allow for easier retrieval of items, increased lighting levels, incorporating both natural and artificial sources, covered walkway leading to the entrance. Attractive environment: beautiful natural setting with scenic water views from the reading area, lofty and spacious ceilings, abundance of natural lighting, and comfortable seating areas throughout the branch.

Lantana Road Branch:	The Groundbreaking Ceremony for the Lantana Road Branch took place on Thursday, February 14, 2008 at 9:30 a.m. It is scheduled for opening in early 2009. The Lantana Road Branch is one of five projects currently underway as part of the Library Expansion Program. The 29,000 square foot library will be constructed on the southwest corner of Lawrence Road and Lantana Road, and will feature:
	Computer Access: 50 Internet and word processing computers in the adult, children and young adult areas including library catalog computers that will be available throughout the building. Laptop computers for training will be provided in the meeting room. Free wireless access will be available throughout the building. Meeting room space: three meeting rooms – a large room accommodating 115 people, a conference room and a separate room for children’s programs. A variety of materials: dedicated areas for CDs, DVDs, new arrivals, in addition to books, newspapers and magazines. Study space: more quiet space including five private study rooms and a larger group study room. Customer service: an express check out station will be available to allow for fast, efficient service. Space for young people: themed area designed especially for children with ample room for materials and comfortable seating. Accessibility: drive-up materials return, interior and exterior walk-up returns, wider aisles and lower shelves to allow for easier retrieval of items, increased lighting levels, incorporating both natural and artificial sources, covered walkway leading to the entrance. Attractive environment: beautiful natural setting with scenic views from the reading area, study carrels and lounge seating areas throughout the branch. Special features include a family restroom with child-sized facilities. The library was designed by the architectural firm Slattery & Associates with Toppe Consultants. Construction by The Weitz Company




Okeechobee Blvd Branch:	Renovation on the Okeechobee Blvd Branch began April 1, 2008. It is scheduled to reopen in December 2008 and will feature:
	Increased access to computers: 23 Internet and word processing computers in the adult and children’s area, there will also be library catalog computers throughout the building. Laptop computers will be available in the meeting room for hands-on computer training classes. Larger collection: new shelving to allow for more DVDs, CDs and audiobooks. Attractive interior redesign: interior spaces will be redecorated to provide customers with a more user friendly space with new lighting, refinished furniture and comfortable seating areas. Customer service: redesign of the reference and circulation desks make staff more accessible to patrons and the addition of an express check out station will allow for faster more efficient service to patrons. Meeting room space: large meeting room accommodating 50 people and a smaller conference room; 2 study rooms also available. Facility enhancements: new roof and air conditioning unit.

Hagen Ranch Road Branch:	The Hagen Ranch Road branch is now open. It opened to the public on July 11, 2008 at 10 a.m. The new Hagen Ranch Road Branch more than doubles the size of the West Atlantic Avenue Branch, from 16,500 square feet to 34,000 square feet and features:
	Increased access to computers: 40 Internet and word processing computers in the adult area, eight computers in the children’s area, and three in the teen area, in addition library catalog computers will be available throughout the building. Laptop computers for training will be provided in the meeting room. Free wireless access will be available throughout the building. More meeting room space: three meeting rooms – a large room accommodating 225 people, a smaller conference room accommodating 50 people and a room for children’s programming with space for 50. More materials: space to allow the current selection of books, CDs, DVDs of approximately 82,000 to grow to 150,000 items. Study space: more quiet space including five study rooms. Customer service: two express check out stations will be available to allow for fast, efficient service. Space for young people: themed area designed especially for children with whimsical seating/shelving, ample room for materials and comfortable seating. Parking: 213 parking spaces, more than double the number of parking spaces at the previous location, 14 of the spaces are for handicapped parking. Accessibility: drive-up materials return, in addition to interior and exterior walk-up returns, wider aisles and lower shelves to allow for easier retrieval of items, increased lighting levels, incorporating both natural and artificial sources, covered walkway leading to the entrance. Attractive environment: beautiful natural setting with scenic water views from the reading area, lofty and spacious ceilings, abundance of natural lighting, and comfortable seating areas throughout the branch.





For further information, contact John J. Callahan III, Library Director, at 561-233-2600.
Posted: 02/28/08, Update: 08/13/2008