Trussville Public Library doors open once again

After eight months of renovation, Trussville Public Library is back open and just in time for summer reading. 

“We’re thrilled to be here. It’s much more wonderful than we ever dreamed,” library Director said. “Everybody seems to be as thrilled as we are. We’re over the moon about it. I don’t think people realized how large it was going to be.”

The library opened its doors April 2 as a soft opening and celebrated the facility upgrade and expansion with an April 22 ceremonial opening of the now 25,000-square-foot facility.  

When patrons enter, they’ll see blue carpet symbolizing the Cahaba River and will find nature and animal-themed seating throughout the facility, including picnic tables in the study rooms.

“It’s very bright and inviting. We’ve already had so many people coming in and out and excited about what they see,” Tish said.

Prior to the renovation, the library was 12,500 square feet, which included circulation and meeting rooms. Now all of the original space will become circulation for children, teens and adults — a 25 percent increase in circulation space from the previous layout. Seating is available throughout the space, including 18 high-top laptop stations, adult and teen computer labs and private glass rooms for quiet studying and personal computer use.

A coffee and vending area connects the old space with the new wing, which features a 250-seat auditorium, a second circulation desk, a 12-seat boardroom and meeting rooms for 30 or 50 people, to be used for free by community groups and nonprofits. The library will also add self checkout options, and Friends of the Library will open a bookstore onsite. 

A music-themed summer reading program for all ages, toddlers through adults, will run June through July to kick off the library’s post-renovation programming.  

Trussville Public Library opens at 9 a.m. Monday through Thursday, closing at 8 p.m. on Monday and Tuesday and 6 p.m. on Wednesday through Friday. On the weekend, the library is open 10 a.m.to 4 p.m. on Saturday and 1-5 p.m. on Sunday. For more information, visit trussvillelibrary.com or call 655-2022.