Library On The Move For 30 Years, The Shadle Park Library Branch Has Called The Shopping Center Home, But Its Success Is Forcing A Change

Shadle branch library manager Andrea Sharps is already feeling sentimental.

She expects to be misty-eyed next week, watching the last books move out of the shopping center storefront and into the spacious new library down the street at Shadle Park.

“It’s a little like leaving high school and going to college,” Sharps says of the mixed emotions.

“It will be sad, but there is also lots of excitement,” she says.

Adults who borrowed Nancy Drew mysteries here 30 years ago, now bring their own kids for story time, to research school reports, or check out a Goosebumps thriller.

Despite memorable hours spent among the stacks in the beige-on-beige library, few tears will be shed when the doors lock for the last time.

“If it was moving clear out of the neighborhood it would be sad,” says Elsie Trick, who’s lived in the Shadle area for 27 years.

Librarians at the neighborhood branch field questions ranging from recipes to ocean depth, they recommend books, help with research.

But homework is the top activity at the branch library.

A table of sixth-graders is studying ancient Rome.

“I’ve been coming here since I was a kid,” says Melanie Moody, 11.

She’s lived in the Shadle neighborhood most her life, and has been to the downtown library only once.

She can’t wait for the new branch to open, not just for herself, but for her little brother.

“It will have a lot more books,” says Moody. “My brother is three, and he’s read all the tractor books in the children’s section here.”

Her friend, Maygen Hill-Erickson, also 11, looks around the crowded room. “I’ll miss the memories,” she says.

The shopping center location started as an experiment, according to retired library director Betty Bender.

A successful experiment.

For three decades the Shadle library was the busiest branch in the city, often right behind downtown in circulation. When the new South Hill Library opened last year, it edged ahead.

But Sharps expects to recapture the lead after the new branch opens March 15, doubling or maybe tripling current circulation.

The Shadle branch library opened in 1964 in the space that’s now Chuck E. Cheese. It was a dim, narrow space. In 1982 it moved to the larger, brighter location closer to Newberry’s.

The shopping center, though convenient, is far from ideal for a library.

The lights cast shadows, shelves are cramped, and the wiring isn’t adequate for computers. There’s no public meeting room or comfortable seating for reading the newspaper. It’s dingy.

“If it’s a little shabby and shopworn, that’s because it is well-used,” Sharps says protectively. “This particular location has served the population very well over the years.”

Children’s librarian Cecilia McGowan fills in at the reference desk and helps students researching reports.

“Children come in for homework, and we have a chance to help them develop a life-long love of literature,” she says.

“The best thing about the library is the patrons, and we’re taking them all with us when we move,” says McGowan.

Jaci Zimprich has worked at the Shadle library for 15 years, and borrowed books there long before.

She’s watched tots grow into teens and seen romances blossom over homework. She glances over the crowd of “regulars” each morning to see who’s missing.

“It’s a little like the country store where people can meet and see their neighbors,” she says. “The story times aren’t just for kids, they’re also a place for moms to connect.”

Zimprich says she’ll miss the convenience of being in the mall, dropping off dry cleaning on her way in, buying a birthday card on her lunch break.

There’s one treat Shadle librarians won’t be able to take along to their new location. “We will miss the beautiful sunset we have right outside our window,” she says.

, DataTimes ILLUSTRATION: Color Photo

MEMO: These 2 sidebars appeared with the story:

1. SHADLE LIBRARY FACTS Circulation: 37,000 books monthly Reference: 3,000 questions answered monthly Old library: 7,000 square feet New library: 17,847 square feet New library amenities: 115,000 books, tapes and videos 20 public access catalog terminals 3 Internet stations Public meeting room with seating for 112 Total construction cost: $1.9 million

2. CEREMONY PLANNED FOR BRANCH OPENING The Shadle branch library will be closed March 12-14 to move books and prepare the for the new branch opening March 15. A ceremony, speeches and other events are planned to officially open the newest branch library March 15 at Shadle Park, near the yellow and green water tower. The ceremony starts at 8:45 a.m. Speakers include an introduction by Diann Brown, library board chair, dedication by Mayor Jack Geraghty, comments by council member Cherie Rodgers, Carol Barber from the Spokane Parks Department, Ken Hughey, a former member of the library board, Joyce Jones, current trustee, and Fred King from Northwest Architectural Company. A reception is scheduled at 9:45 a.m. in the public meeting room of the new library. Throughout the day, characters including Marty the Marmot, Madeline and Pinkerton will greet children and Katie van Vlyman with the Corbin Art Center will lead a bookmark-making project. Kathy Mulady