by Trisha Noack, Supervisor of Public Relations, Peoria Public Library

Peoria Public Library will hold a Grand Opening of Lakeview Branch, 1137 W. Lake Avenue, on Saturday, April 28 with a ribbon-cutting ceremony at 10:00 a.m. The event marks the final building opening during the $28 million building program that began with the passing of an advisory referendum on April 17, 2007.

Those visiting Lakeview Branch on opening day, Saturday, April 28 can attend a ribbon-cutting ceremony at 10:00 a.m. and then enjoy family fun all day. Everyone is eligible to enter door prize drawings for stacks of books or an e-reader.  Then meet “Biscuit” and enjoy storytelling fun with “Storytelling by Linda” at 11:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m.

Lakeview Branch now will offer the same services and light-filled spaces as the other Peoria Public Library locations. A new central information desk, call center and self-check desk will provide the same convenient service that have been so well-received at other locations. Calls will now be answered behind the scenes in the call center, as they are at each library location, making sure staff can give the public their full attention at the desk.

Internal spaces have been redesigned to include completely remodeled and enlarged restrooms and a book drop room that will allow staff to discharge and sort returned books behind the scenes. In addition there is now a dedicated storytime room and a single meeting room as well as two study rooms. The reconfigured space provides one meeting room that is 22 x 20 feet, one study room that is 12 x 12 feet, one that is 10 feet 6 inches by 12 feet 6 inches, and a storytime room that is 22 feet by 23 feet 6 inches. One result of reconfiguring meeting room space is that restrooms have been enlarged and remodeled.

Sixteen new public computer stations have also been installed. New furniture has also been purchased for the branch and while shelving was reused, it will have a new look with new end panels and tops. The entire interior was repainted and new flooring installed.

The original skylight, closed over long ago, has been reopened with high-energy skylight panels installed. In addition, all old exterior single pane windows have been replaced with high-energy glass windows. Four new windows were added to the children’s area bringing in more natural light. The entryway is also lighter and quieter.  The old “hissing” sliding door is gone and the entry ceiling was raised. Outside, old landscaping was trimmed or removed and new plantings added and various repairs were made to exterior walls and the roof.

Lakeview Branch also has new hours. It will be open Monday – Wednesday from 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. It will be open Friday and Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. and Sunday from noon to 5:00 p.m. It will be closed every Thursday. These hours are for the entire year and the weekend hours will be applied in summer as well. The only day closed will be Thursday, however all other locations are open that day with both North Branch and Lincoln Branch remaining open until 8:00 p.m. on Thursdays. The phone number for Lakeview Branch is 309-497-2200.