
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: THURSDAY, November 17, 1994                   TAG: 9501060047
SECTION: NEIGHBORS                    PAGE: S-13   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: SARAH HUNTLEY STAFF WRITER
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Medium

LIBRARY USERS NOW HAVE ROOM TO CIRCULATE

Roanoke Valley's busiest public library branch celebrated its new look and space last Thursday as a two-year renovation project at the Hollins branch came to a close.

The library, which was used by more than 175,000 patrons and circulated almost 185,000 items last year, was one of several projects included in the 1992 bond referendum. The $1.5 million construction project has tripled the size of the facility and includes upgraded meeting space, a local history room, improved lighting and a CD-ROM reference network.

"A true foundation of democracy is free and public access to the library. That's what this building is about," said supervisor Bob Johnson, who represents the Hollins district. "How you dress up a building and make it look speaks volumes about a community."

Library supporters milled around the building Thursday, admiring the new furniture - speckled gray bookcases and brightly colored signs, with matching flags, that indicate the library's different collections. The most attractive feature of the new building, however, is a circular window that overlooks mountains and Peters Creek Road.

Bruce Murdock lives in Troutville but often comes to the Hollins branch because of its selection. "Before the renovations, it was tightly packed with books and materials. There wasn't a lot of room for sitting or studying," he said. "Now, it's real spacious. The lighting is better, and, with all the sitting room, it's much more comfortable."

NewCastle resident Dee Mitchell thumbed through a book about dogs. "I like it," she said. "I know this library will do well."

Throughout the project, which was handled by Lucas Construction Co., the library closed for only two days. That left librarians and patrons coping with extraordinary hurdles. Several times, librarians used laptop computers to check out books and relied on camp lanterns and flashlights for lighting.

Thanking the staff for its patience, library director Spencer Watts said, "Literally, they were often working with the walls being torn down behind them and the ceilings coming down over their heads."

Elmer Hodge, county administrator, also commented on the cooperation. "I never heard any complaints from the staff," he said. "I remember being in here during the construction. It was a rainy day like today. There was rain coming down on the outside, and rain coming in inside, but there wasn't a single complaint."

by CNB