With the grand opening of the Provo City Library at Academy Square on Saturday Sept. 8, many residents are not only looking forward to checking out a few good books, but also partaking of the many services the new library has to offer.

Gene Nelson, director of the Provo library, sees the Academy building far out-weighing the services at the old Provo library.

"Everything we did have, will be better," Nelson said.

One of the most exciting features of the Academy building is the historic ballroom that can be rented out by the general public.

"The ballroom has already been used for wedding receptions and BYU luncheons," Harward said.

In all, there will be six meeting rooms ranging from the ballroom, which holds 400 people, to a conference room designed for 10 people

"These will be places for people to gather, meet, talk, debate and inform one another," Nelson said.

In addition to having more meeting space, both the adult and children sections are four times bigger than those in the previous library.

Terry Ann Harward, Provo library executive assistant, is excited to see each of the sections expand and create more services for the public.

"The adult room will be able to hold four times as many books and also will contain room for lectures and panel discussion," Harward said.

Gene Nelson views the children's section of the library as one of the many exciting improvements within the new library.

"There will be more children story times and programs," Nelson. "Next Monday will be our first family night, and a local resident will come and read for story time."

Internet classes ranging from beginning to advance will also be offered to the general public starting in October. Specific classes for senior citizens and Spanish-speaking residents will be available.

Among other services available at the Academic library will be an art gallery, which will display local artwork and several after-school programs.



Copyright Brigham Young University 6 Sep 2001