Tech Center & Teen Zone Grand Opening

By Hilery Walker, Community Relations Coordinator

January 26, 2005

The dust has cleared at your Natrona County Public Library with the recent completion of two major construction projects, the Teen Zone and the Technology Center . You are invited to a grand opening celebration for these two additions on Tuesday, February 1 between 5:30 and 6:30 PM . Organized by the Library Foundation, this is a great chance to explore both new areas and learn more about the Foundation’s upcoming fundraising goals. The Foundation will also be unveiling a newly completed Donor Wall. Located on the main floor above the books on tape, this wall will recognize significant donors to the Foundation.

Planning on the Teen Zone and Tech Center began over two and a half years ago with construction commencing in October 2004. To ensure the library remains relevant to area youth, the Teen Zone was designed with input from teens. Working with their ideas about color schemes, shelving units and funky furniture, GSG Architecture created an area with a coffee house feel, complete with a movie lounge and vending machines. This new part of the library has already been put to good use with a number of teens dropping by to meet up with friends and do homework, hang out and watch movies.

Appealing to youth is just one aspect of improving library service, however; it is also important to maintain the library’s reputation as an information center in this technology-driven age. The Technology Center will be equipped with 16 computers that will have Internet connections as well as word processing and publishing programs. To organize users, a computer reservation system has been installed, which runs off of library cards. Similar to placing a reservation at a restaurant, this system will assign you a specific time when a computer will be available, allowing you the freedom to browse the library without losing your place in line.

These two significant library additions were made possible through funding from the Natrona County Recreation District, the Natrona County Commission through Optional One Cent, the Friends of the Library and grants from the Tate, Tonkin and Daniels Foundations. Thank you to all who have contributed to these improvements.

As the scaffolding comes down, the paint dries, the last pieces of furniture placed and computers plugged in, library construction has still not come to an end, but rather will continue online and in Mills. Be on the look-out for a new library homepage fit for the 21 st Century. The new homepage will be more user-friendly, with simpler ways to put books on hold, look up your account and find out about upcoming programs and events. The library branch in Mills will also be having its share of noise and dust this spring when construction crews go to work on an addition that will double the current size of the library.

Things are a movin’ and a shakin’ this 2005 -- check out your hip, techno-savvy library today!

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