Colleyville updates, renovates library to make it more user-friendly

The Colleyville Public Library has been undergoing a series of renovations in recent months in hopes of making the popular gathering spot more user-friendly.

“This transformation will allow the library to better serve the changing needs of the Colleyville community and provide a more user-friendly and efficient facility for all citizens,” Colleyville Mayor Richard Newton said.

The library has been open to the public during the work, except for a span from Sept. 17-27. During that time, visitors could use the drive-through window for services.

The library opened in 2003, and celebrated its 15-year anniversary in late November. Before it opened, Colleyville didn’t have a library. This is the second renovation project since it has had, the other being in 2011.

“Since opening day, the library has been a resource on the move,” Library Director Mary Rodne said.

Rodne said more than 64 percent of Colleyville households have at least one library card and that group checks out more than 200,000 items per year. More than 21,000 citizens have attended more than 600 programs, she said.

And now that there’s more room, Rodne said there will likely be more programs offered to the public.

“We get a lot of citizen input, and we work hard to listen to them,” Rodne said.

“The completion of this project will ensure that the library can move to the next level and serve as a model of what can be achieved when like-minded people come together to enhance their quality of life.”

The most recent changes, expected to be finished early this month, include:

• Reallocating shelving space for collections to provide more space for higher-use collections.
• Combining two public service desks (reference and circulation) into one help desk to provide more public space and enhance the user experience.
• Providing better public access to technology, allowing access to power for patrons who bring their own devices; and replacing the library’s old self-checkout equipment with new up-to-date equipment.
  
  
• Updating worn furniture and adding more tables and reader seats, and replacing 15-year-old carpeting.
• Improving access to popular materials with new shelving and signage.
• Updating children’s programming spaces to incorporate STEAM (science, technology, engineering, mathematics) activities.
• Engaging the senior population by creating programming space on the first floor and adding programming options.
• Adding new carpet and doors and upgrading the electrical system.

This story was originally published November 29, 2018 at 4:58 PM.