Brand-new library bustles with activity
The facility, open just a couple of months, is turning into a place to hang out, especially for teenagers.
By JILL ANN PERRINO
Published October 10, 2005
LARGO - More than 3,000 patrons came to the grand opening.
In its first month, it registered 2,300 new library cards, up from an average of 500 new registrations a month.
And in August, 48,000 people walked in the door of the new Largo Library, compared with 36,000 visitors to the old library in August 2004.
By the numbers alone, Casey McPhee, library director, calls the $21-million, 90,300-square-foot facility, which opened July 31, a huge success.
"We're very pleased with the number of people who came through the library and used our materials," she said.
And just a couple of months after its grand opening, the library is still adding services.
The Largo/Mid-Pinellas Small Business Resource Center opened Thursday with a ribbon-cutting ceremony and dedication. The center, which will be manned one day a week by the Largo/Mid-Pinellas Chamber of Commerce, has a variety of services, including business databases and marketing software, to help those starting a new business and those seeking help with an existing one, said Steve Bumgarner, assistant library director.
Bumgarner said some of the resources will be especially helpful for business people, including Contacts Influential for local names and numbers, Directory of Florida Industries for statewide industry contacts, and the Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance for federal grants and loans available for small businesses and start-up ventures.
"Our business center gives people the resources they need to make well-considered choices when developing their business plans," Bumgarner said.
But many of the library's most fervent patrons, the ones who are still dealing with braces and hormones, are more interested in some of the library's other features.
McPhee said the popularity of the teen room was a pleasant surprise. She noted that the library's location near both Largo Middle School and Largo High School makes it easy for teens to walk there after school.
On a recent weekday afternoon, both the Lola and Wilfred Faucher Children's Wing and the teen room were packed with kids doing homework, reading, socializing and playing on computers.
Bethany Reynolds, a second-grade teacher at Bardmoor Elementary School, was in the children's room with her daughters and two students whom she tutors. Reynolds said she comes to the library several times a week to allow the kids to do their homework.
"There are too many distractions at home," she said, citing the dog, four cats and neighborhood kids who want to play with her children rather than do homework with them.
Ghelder Arriaga, supervisor of youth services, is proud of the spacious children's area, especially the many children's programs and the fact that the books there are grouped into three separate reading levels to make it easier for families to find the kinds of books they need.
Arriaga also notes that there are six areas within the children's room where families can gather.
"This allows groups to get comfortable without invading each other's spaces," he said.
Rebecca Rose, 8, from Seminole Elementary, said she was looking forward to playing a math game on the computer and checking out a new book.
"I need something to read," she said, sounding surprised that anyone would even ask why she was there.
Rebecca's father, James Rose, said he brings Rebecca to Largo Library three times a week. He enjoys the open space of the children's area and its separation from the main collections.
"Here, kids can be kids," he said.
A separate room upstairs has been a great after-school hangout for teens. Arriaga, who was on duty in the teen room one recent afternoon, said most days the room is packed with young people eager to check out the library's collection of Manga books, check e-mail or do their homework.
The computers are also set up as a writing center with software donated by the Times. The most attractive draw, however, is that the room is off-limits to anyone who isn't between the ages of 13 and 19. Tyrell Palmer, 17, is a senior at Largo High. He said he's in the teen room every day after school.
Rebekah Harrell of Largo said she's thrilled her nephew, Anthony Beroney, 15, a student at Largo High, has a place to hang out.
"He's off the streets and we know he's safe," she said. "We're glad to have it, we really are."