Community Corner

VIDEO: Get An Early Look At the New UP Library (UPDATED)

Patch was allowed inside the library in the new Civic Building before its grand opening Saturday. Editor Brent Champaco has one word: cavernous.

After years of waiting and planning, University Place will  begin a new chapter in its history Saturday.

Following an opening ceremony at noon, the community's new, 15,000-square-foot, ground-floor .

The new address: 3609 Market Place W. (Good luck finding it on Mapquest)

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It will mark a milestone both for the Pierce County Library System and the City of University Place. For the library system, it will unveil its newest crown jewel - an expansive, cavernous space with everything from sound absorbers over the kids area to Redbox-style DVD kiosks to environmentally friendly, LEED lighting.

Those were all part of a vision that the library and residents first planted five years ago, when the city decided to demolish the library's former building to make way for its own vision of a downtown. The library is growing, and both of its prior locations - the now-demolished building and the temporary location - couldn't keep up with the growth. Saturday, there will be 80,000 books, DVDs and other material - the same as what was there before. (The library had to keep much of its inventory in storage during its stay in the former auto parts store off 27th Street West)

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And speaking of the city's vision, Saturday's opening will mark the first operational tenant in the controversial, nearly $50 million Town Center project. It will be the first time a Town Center tenant has gone from agreement-on-paper to reaility. Would city leaders have preferred a big retail store or movie theater to be the mix-use development's first open business? Perhaps.

But on Saturday, officials will walk around with a sense of relief, a we-finally-got-one feeling. They'll say the library is the start of good things for Town Center, which will welcome and offer a in the same building as the library by the end of the year.

Critics will argue that the library should have never moved. Or how it's sad that the first tenant in a large-scale, mix-use development intended to generate tax dollars for the young community is a public library.

Whatever side you fall on, the important thing to remind yourself if you go Saturday is that, hey, it's a new library. I got a sneak tour of the place this week, and as I walked between shelves and along new walls, I really didn't ponder where the library's opening fell in the big story of Town Center.

Instead, I wondered whether this was the kind of place my now-2-year-old daughter would someday enjoy. Is this a place that's going to be able to meet the community's growing needs while maintaining a high level of service and practicality for users of all ages?

Both the dad and journalist in me think so. I've covered University Place going on six years now, and I remember what the previous libraries looked like. The original building was nice and suitable; the former auto parts store was, well, a former auto parts store.

Neither can compare to the new University Place library, which spokeswoman Mary Getchell says was built with future growth in mind. She noticed how I kept using the word "cavernous," as we walked through the new building. That's important because when the kids make the noise - to the delight of people trying to read a book or prepare their resumes at the library's job center - the noise will float upward.

Yeah, this is something the community can enjoy and be proud of. Will it be the motion that gets Town Center's retail activity moving? Who knows? It's too early to tell.

On Saturday, UP shouldn't have to think about that, at least for one day. Instead, go to the opening and experience the everything-is-new feel. Watch people interact with this new resource. Take in the fact that University Place has yet another jewel to add to its suburban crown.

There will be plenty of days when University Place can debate how city leaders are working toward fulfilling the vision for Town Center. If Applebee's and the police station are still the only two tenants six to nine months from now, then the questions and concerns will come back.

But on Saturday, attend the opening, enjoy the new library's amenities and realize that you're part of the newest and latest chapter in University Place's young history.

 

What to expect Saturday

-The library's opening ceremony is noon, but the doors won't likely open until 12:30 p.m.

-There will be a few, back-in parking spots along Bridgeport Way West, but your best bet for a spot is in the library's parking garage. Residents can reach the library via the staircase or elevator.

-Self-guided tours of the the first Pierce County Library to earn LEED Silver Certification level.

-Music from former UP orchestra students.

-Photos with Curious George and Lily the Ladybug Librarian until 2 p.m.

-Magician Jeff Evans until 2:30 p.m.

-Free, reusable from the Pierce County Library Foundation for the first 3,000 people.

-Get your "passport" stamped by staff and volunteers

-Refreshments in the meeting room.

 

Quick facts on the new University Place library

  • 15,000 square feet – 3,000 more than the old library.
  • 80,000 books, movies, audiobooks and more.
  • High tech conference room.
  • Interactive children’s area.
  • Computers and cyberbar in teen area.
  • Computers, resources and staff in Job and Business Center.

 

UPDATE: User Basa28 sent me this message regarding the opening this morning:

"UP for ART will also participate in the Grand Opening on Saturday. We will occupy the retail area to the right of the entrance to feature UP for ART projects and information. Also local artists who are members will display some samples of their artistry for public viewing."


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