Indian Trail Branch Library Opens Its Doors Saturday

Indian Trail branch library will open its doors to the public with a grand-opening ceremony at 11 a.m. Saturday.

The 10,600-square-foot branch is the last of six new libraries built with the 1990 municipal library bond issue.

Librarians and branch manager Claire Steigleder, who lives in the Indian Trail neighborhood, have been busy filling the shelves. The new collection includes 50,000 books, magazines, videos and audio tapes. Most of the items are new.

The brick building is open and airy inside, with cozy window nooks and soft seating for reading. An aisle through the center of the library is reminiscent of an old-fashioned boulevard, with steel arches overhead and lamps lighting the way.

“This building is so beautiful,” said Dolly Richendrfer, Spokane Public Library community relations manager.

Architect Ron Tan, who designed the library, will be among the guest speakers at the dedication ceremony. Other speakers include Mayor John Talbott and city councilwoman Cherie Rodgers, both Indian Trail residents. Mary Ann McCurdy, from Gov. Gary Locke’s office, and library trustee Ron Miller will also speak.

The Woodridge Elementary School choir will perform a musical selection arranged especially for the event by their music teacher, Peggy Gretsch. Native American-type masks designed by Woodridge students will also be on display in the children’s area.

A reception will follow in the public meeting room. Marty the Marmot is expected to arrive around 1 p.m.

As part of the opening day ceremonies, Spokane historian and Northwest Room librarian Nancy Compau will present “Spokane, the First 100 Years,” including some Indian Trail history, at 3 p.m. in the public meeting room.

Compau, who oversees the Northwest History Room in the downtown main library, will begin her talk with the early fur trapping and mining camps, talk about the railroad in the settling the city and revisit the 1898 fire and the rebuilding of Spokane.

Library staff includes five full-time and four part-time employees. The library has 12 public catalog terminals, and three Internet stations.

Permanent art, being designed by Ilse Kilian-Tan will be installed later this year.

Construction cost was $1.3 million.

, DataTimes ILLUSTRATION: Photo

MEMO: This sidebar appeared with the story: IT’S STORY TIME Story Time begins this week at the Indian Trail branch. Toddler Time, 18 months to 3 years, Thursday, 10:30 a.m. Toddler Story Time, 3 to 5 years, Monday, 10:30 a.m. Family Story Time, Wednesday, 7 p.m. Here are other upcoming North Side library events: Volunteer Income Tax Assistance, 3 to 8 p.m. Thursdays through April 9 at Shadle branch; 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturdays through April 11 at Hillyard. Web Catalog Training, Indian Trail branch, March 14, 10 a.m.; Hillyard, March 24, 7 p.m.