Grove City Library, a branch of Southwest Public Libraries (SPL), will open its new location at 3959 Broadway in the Grove City Town Center on Oct. 16, after more than a year of construction.
“This is the beginning of an exciting new era for our library,” said Pattie Moncman, president of the Southwest Public Libraries board of trustees. “We couldn’t be more grateful for the support from the community that allowed this project to be realized.”
Grand opening festivities begin at 1 p.m. with a ceremony featuring addresses from local officials. The day will also feature an open house from 1 to 5 p.m. along with the dedication of the Harper’s Grove early literacy area at 2 p.m., the dedication of the Women’s Civic Club of Grove City Quiet Reading Room at 2:30 p.m., the unveiling of art commemorating the past locations of the Grove City Library at 3 p.m. and the installation of a time capsule and address stone at 3:30 p.m.
Construction of the library was a joint project between Southwest Public Libraries and the city of Grove City.
“The opening of the new library facility symbolizes the meaning of community,” said Mayor Richard “Ike” Stage. “Through the foresight and vision of city leaders, the library staff and board, we came together for the betterment of our citizens. It will be exciting to see the young and not so young use the library to grow and enhance their quality of life.”
The new building is 48,000 square feet in size and two stories tall, doubling the amount of public space and allowing for the more public computers with Internet access, the addition of private study rooms, expanded meeting room space and a larger children’s area, including a teen room.
“This building has been designed and built around the needs of our patrons,” said SPL Director Mark Shaw. “It is a library for the 21st century, and it positions us to meet the demands of the future while still providing the highest level of service.”
Southwest Public Libraries is the second largest library system in Franklin County, serving more than 120,000 patrons and 127 square miles. It is comprised of two regional, full-service libraries, Grove City Library and Westland Area Library. For more information, visit www.swpl.org.
