Community Corner
Town Center's First Tenant, The New UP Library, Welcomes Large Crowds On Day One
University Place's Town Center Library finally opens its doors and packs the house. More than 4,500 people showed up for today's event.
Cooper Harrison has a new weekly meeting spot.
Inside the new University Place Library today, the 5-year-old from University Place excitedly told Patch that he loves books.
“’Mac and Cheese’ is my favorite,” he said.
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Cooper’s mother, Mamie, was just as excited for the new library, which features a larger kid-friendly area.
“Cooper comes to the library on a date with his grandma every Wednesday,” she said as she started to read another book to her son.
Find out what's happening in University Placewith free, real-time updates from Patch.
University Place finally opened the doors to the long-awaited community gathering place today, as visitors crammed into the 15,000-squre-foot space.
The library's opening-day count was 4,541 visitors by closing.
The visitors blurted out "wow" often as children filed into the library, some even pushing to reach their destination—the children’s area, a first on many lists.
“I love the way it’s laid out,” UP resident Vyonda Blank said.
It was a long-anticipated day for the community, which has watched the library transform from a gravel pit to the building that now represents Town Center. The library, located inside the Civic Building, is the first tenant to open at mix-use project located along Bridgeport Way West.
Though there were many excited faces, the large crowds prompted some to complain of the congested aisle-ways.
One patron ran past me and yelled “I need to get to the exit. I need air, I’m claustrophobic.”
He was right. The visitors who joined in the festivities were crammed into whatUP Patch editor during a sneak tour of the library earlier this week.
I did not experience the “cavernous” awe that he had enjoyed while walking through a then-patron-less library. On Saturday, I was pushed around a bit, shoved into books, and watched as some kids in the children area were plowed over by adults and older kids.
Cavernous wasn't the word of the day. “Sardines,” was more like it. We were sardines crammed into this huge library all trying to see what it has to offer.
And yes, it has plenty to offer.
Pictures with Lily the Ladybug and Curious George, new computers, flat-screen TV, children’s toys, free tote bags, and finding the locations to complete the passport kept people busy today.
Finally, the library is open, and UP residents appeared relieved, happy, excited, and even overwhelmed.
Not bad for a first day.
Click on the pictures to see more of the library's grand opening. Please, feel free to add more pictures and videos to the site.