Chapter ends for Southeast library
The Southeast branch of the Moline Public Library finished another chapter this weekend as the library closed its doors at 5 p.m. Saturday.
Both library workers and patrons are waiting in anticipation for the next installment, coming in about three weeks.
And they all get to sneak a peak at the $12.5 million installment housed right next door.
With large, rectangular windows on the second floor facing the north and floor-to-ceiling glass on the ground level, several people were cupping their hands around their face Saturday and peering into what will soon be the new library.
Although some additional work needs to be done on the new building, like moving more than 100,000 books across the parking lot, Moline’s newest best seller is scheduled to be released to the public at the end of August.
Every Saturday, reference service desk worker Eileen Hoeg sees families and individuals come and go. According to Hoeg, this Saturday was a lot busier.
“It was packed, especially in the morning,” she said. “Long-term patrons came in all day, reminiscing about the building already before we were even closed for the day.”
For patrons like Judy Schneider, the public library is part of their weekly routine that will be missed until the new building opens up in a couple weeks.
“I’m here four or five times a week,” said Schnieder, a retired East Moline woman who utilizes the free Internet access at the Moline Public Library that she doesn’t have at home. “I’m anxious to see the inside of the new building and see how the computers are set up.”
At more than 3.5 times the size of the old building, the new 68,000-square-foot Moline Public Library will offer patrons Wi-Fi Internet access, larger meeting rooms, increased programming, individual study rooms and plenty of room for growth.
Lisa Powell Williams, reference services coordinator at the library, said plans for the building took into account the big picture.
“We built it for 25 years of growth,” she said. “For awhile, there will be a lot of open room.”
Although built as a branch library in the early 1980s, the Southeast Library in Moline has served Moline since the main downtown library temporarily closed earlier this year due to financial reasons. While the downtown library shelves still remain full, officials are uncertain when, or if, it will open.
“All we know if that it’s temporarily closed due to funds,” Williams said.
Tori Williams’ two daughters have watched the process of building the structure on their monthly visits to the library.
“The girls have watched it go up, and we’re all curious to see what’s inside,” said Williams, who was loading up on books for not only their family vacation to Six Flags, but for the three-week hiatus from the library shelves.
Her 8-year-old daughter, Aaliyah, is praying they will get more books in her favorite series, the “Spiderwick Chronicles.”
“I don’t know what they’ll have, but I hope it’s more books and computers,” Aaliyah said.
During the approximately three-week move, those who have checked out library books or audio products will be allowed to forgo the late fees and keep the items until the new library opens. Bins located in front of the old library also will be available for those who want to drop their materials off.
Although the Southeast Library is only about 25 years old, plans are to bulldoze the building and make it into additional parking for the new building.
“We want the new building to be a place where everyone feels there’s a place for them. The bottom floor will be more active while the second floor will be more quiet” Williams said. “We’re saying it’s a treasured past and vibrant future.”
Grand opening
The Moline Public Library hopes to open its doors of the new building at 3130 41st St. by the end of August. A grand opening for the library is planned for 9:30 a.m. Sept. 30.
The city desk can be contacted at (563) 383-2245 or newsroom@qctimes.com.