Passing On A Love Of Reading East Central Neighborhood Residents Gather To Help Prepare Bigger, Better Library For Its Grand Opening On Saturday

I was a moving experience.

About 175 people gathered Wednesday to pass down the first books in a citizen’s chain at the new East Side Library.

They were gearing up for the library’s grand opening Saturday.

The first book to be passed: Charles Dickens’ “Great Expectations.”

“This one’s heavy,” warned Andrew Zimmer, 4, as he lifted up a hardback book on alligators to pass down the line.

The old library, which opened in 1979, has been strapped for space in its 1,800-square-foot portion of the East Central Community Center on East Fifth.

“It’s very evident that we have outgrown the facility here,” said Claire Steigleder, East Side branch manager.

Stacks of books sat in carts because there wasn’t enough shelf space. The library’s three tables were piled high with books. Visitors had only a two-person vinyl seat to relax on while browsing.

The new stand-alone library near the community center, which cost $937,000 to build and furnish, boasts 6,394 square feet.

There will be about 20 seats for visitors, two bay windows and a meeting room that seats 30.

There’s plenty of space for those who want a quiet place to study. And cyberspace cruisers get one more Internet terminal.

Heather Tayeb, 11, can hardly wait to get inside.

Tayeb and her mother, Millie, who live in the East Central neighborhood, said they visit the library every day, sometimes lugging home as many as 10 books each.

Once the doors of the new building open, Heather Tayeb will be ready.

“I’m going to run around and look for books,” she said, bubbling with excitement.

Construction started in April. It is the third Spokane library to open as part of a $28.9 million bond issue approved by voters in 1990. The Hillyard and downtown libraries opened in 1994.

The East Side Library may be small, but it is getting increasing use.

“There was pretty small use when we first opened,” said Doris Ibach, the original branch manager. “But more people heard about it and started coming in.”

Library officials say they hope the new building will attract more users.

“It’s a very inviting place and I hope that people from all parts of the community will make good use of it,” said Dolly Richendrfer, library spokesperson.

Ibach said the diversity of the library’s users makes it unusual.

“We have rich and poor, and people from all nationalities who come here,” she said.

Staff members are now working with the local chapter of LINKS, an African American women’s service group, on a project aimed at getting more grade-school kids interested in their culture.

The heritage project combines the library’s African American literature into one large collection that will be expanded over time.

V.N. Smith, chapter president, said the group is trying to get more African American youths interested in using the library.

“There are a lot of good books out there,” Smith said. “You can just crawl in there and go into any world you want to.”

, DataTimes ILLUSTRATION: Color photo

MEMO: This sidebar appeared with the story: LIBRARY COLLECTION The East Side library’s extensive collection of African American literature includes: Works by Toni Morrison Works by Maya Angelou Books on notable African Americans, including Sojourner Truth and Rosa Parks African American folktales