The Ypsilanti Courier
A Heritage Newspaper
Weekly Publication
Grand Opening
Ypsilanti District Library opens new branch
By Dan DuChene, Staff Writer
PUBLISHED: March 8, 2007
After voting to be included in the Ypsilanti District Library, Superior Township residents now have a satellite branch to serve the township's library needs.
Advertisement
The satellite branch is housed in Superior Township Fire Rescue Station 2, at the corner of Harris Road and MacArthur Boulevard. The 900-square-foot facility opened Feb. 24 and cost $60,000 to build. The space will serve as a temporary branch until a permanent facility is built.
"I am pleased with the way it has turned out." said library director Jill Morey.
She said many of the staff members were involved with planning the facility's layout.
"It took several months to construct," Morey said.
Paul Nucci, community relations staff for the library, was present the day the library opened its doors for the first time. He said 40 people turned out to test the new space.
"People were waiting outside to come in," Nucci said.
Lori Coryell, assistant director for the library, said it was hectic and crazy for a while.
Because of the branch's size, Morey said a subdued grand opening was chosen for the branch's first day. However, she said a larger event will be held outside when the weather warms up.
Though the satellite branch's collection is nowhere near the entire stock of the library, Superior Township residents will be able to request a book and have it sent to the branch by the next day, provided the book isn't checked out.
"You have to think beyond what's here," Coryell said. "This is a portal to the whole district."
Morey said the branch may be small, but it already has established a presence in the community.
"Every group is represented, just not as big," Nucci said. "We may outgrow it really fast."
The branch has four public computers, an area for story telling and a large lawn in the back.
"The first goal was to get this up and running," Nucci said. "We're going to see how this goes."
Morey said the library will be gathering information during the next year so officials know what to include in a permanent branch for the township. She said the space is being leased from Sup-erior Town-ship and does not have a tax sunset period.
"At this point, there are several things that could happen," Morey said. "But, clearly there is an expectation that (new construction) might be necessary."
Not only has the township been helpful in setting up the new branch, but there was also support to get the 1.6-mill proposal to include Superior in the library district, passed last August.
"We've had a long relationship with the township," Morey said. "I appreciate their support."
Before a tax-based inclusion into the library's district, Superior Township had previously contracted services from the library.
Aside from receiving a satellite branch and the prospects for a more permanent facility, Morey said township residents now can elect board members and participate more because of the millage passing.
"That would greatly affect the direction of service," she said.
The branch is open from 4 to 8 p.m. Monday and Wednesday and from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesday and Saturday.
Not all stories are guaranteed to appear
online. The Web edition contains a reasonable
sampling of the print edition stories.
For the most complete news coverage, we invite you to
subscribe
to the print edition of the paper.
TOP JOBS
