Library Love
Our local library has been working the last several years to move into a new space. They are honoring the local heritage by gutting and remodeling the original Abilene High School building, which was first built in 1889. I just adore the historical setting. Yet inside, it’s completely modern and beautiful.
I love that they kept the original architecture, but added some new touches, like the open book at the roofline. The Carnegie quote was the perfect “pillar” for inside (literal and metaphorical). And how fun that the quote dates back to the same year as the building!
My daughter came with me to explore while she was in town a couple weeks ago, and we had so much fun drinking in the wonders of the new space. I could tell from the entry way, that I was going to love it.
The main floor focuses on fiction. WooHoo! I found my books and they were on a top shelf! Usually my name has my books on the bottom shelves, so that was a fun find. There are great maker spaces and lots of fun things I don’t usually connect with libraries, like a birding backpack. So fun!
Did I mention that the interior is modern and beautiful? There is a sweeping, spiral staircase and a gorgeous floating sculpture to capture the imagination and draw you upward to the next floors.
Second floor is the children’s area. So very colorful and fun. Pillars that look like trees. Chairs that look like forest animals. A multipurpose space for events. A giant wall book with a door so you can actually walk “into” the book.
The third floor is nonfiction. There were also puzzles and book club in a box items that could be checked out. I found a book club box for Nicole Deese. Yay Christian fiction! Two people were actively working on puzzles while we were there.
Even the outdoors celebrate knowledge and reading. From the owl mascot who welcomes everyone in from the front, to the sweet little children in the small statue garden at the back.
I’m thrilled with the results of this project and am so excited to see our library become a focus point for the city. Now, I just need a few grandbabies to come along so I can make full use of the children’s area. Ha!
What is your favorite thing about your local library?
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What a beautiful library! If I ever get to Abilene, I will most definitely be checking it out 😉
They did such a marvelous job with it. It really is a showpiece.
What a great space! I love that they renovated a historic building!!
Me, too, D’Ann! They call it Heritage Square, and they have more than just the library there, though that was my main focus. I love seeing historical buildings being preserved and repurposed.
What a FABULOUS library, Karen! I love everything about it, ESPECIALLY that Chihuly-looking sculpture on the ceiling! Beautiful! Really cool that the quote is the same year, too.
My favorite thing about our public library is the people who work there. Same with our church’s library. The librarian is wonderful!
Those librarians are such special people. So helpful and encouraging. While my daughter and I were snooping, one of the librarians insisted on giving us a private tour of one of the maker spaces. The things they can do in there are amazing!
Great post, Karen! We lived in Abilene early on in our marriage. How fun to see how they’ve repurposed that building. Thanks for sharing—and grands are the best!
How fun, Tammy! You’ll have to come back for a visit one of these days. Abilene is the Storybook Capital of America, so there are lots of fun bookish things to do. 🙂
It looks amazing! I love all aspects of it. Great to see your books on the top shelf. Thanks for the tour.
That top shelf position was a delightful surprise. 🙂 Thanks for joining us on our virtual tour today, Betty.
Karen, what an AWESOME library!!!! And a great use of city funds. As the Carnegie quote said, this is an ideal way to benefit your whole community. Loved these pictures!
Thanks, Becky. I’m rather proud of us. 🙂
What a beautiful library! I love all the fun things shown in the children’s area. Our small town library finished phase 1 of an update last year (expanding into the building next door) and is raising funds for phase 2 (teen area, HVAC, and remodeled bathrooms). One fun thing about our library is the used book store that is now in a larger, sunny space. The back of our building is painted to look like a shelf of books.