VERMILION — The books are dusted and arranged, the “green” roof is already starting to show signs of growth, and patron-friendly features including new meeting rooms, a kitchen and fireplace are all waiting to usher in a new era in the history of Ritter Public Library.

In progress for more than a year, the library’s $4.9 million expansion is drawing to completion as workers touch up paint jobs, prepare a new parking lot and finish installing upgrades that will more than double the size of the 50-year-old building.

“This really is a big deal,” library spokeswoman Patty Kishman said, gesturing to the library’s new airy, glass-walled computer lab. “This is something the community has really been asking for.”

That could be said for the entire project, which will celebrate its grand opening with Saturday’s noon dedication.
Paid for with a bond issue approved by voters in 2007, the expansion — the first since 1983 — features a nautical theme with an aquarium, bubble tanks and blue, red and gold sailing ship.

A new elevator goes to the second floor adult reading area where patrons can curl up on easy chairs by a working fireplace with magazines, newspapers and books. People are also welcome to bring coffee in for their morning read, Kishman said.

Other features library officials are proud to show off are an early literacy room and the facility’s “green” amenities. The early literacy room offers parents a quiet place where they can introduce children up to age 2 to books and the joys of reading.

“Studies have shown that children do well when exposed to books from the time they’re babies,” Kishman said.
The library’s environmentally friendly features include a ground-level landscaped area designed to help manage storm water runoff, and a roof — with specially designed soil and sedum, a hardy plant that aids insulation — that should lower heating and cooling costs.

“We’re really hoping to be the first library in Ohio to earn gold certification (from the U.S. Green Building Council),” Kishman said.

Tweaking the final details includes a drive-up book deposit window that had to be lowered when officials discovered it was too high for many patrons to reach from car windows, Kishman said.

Ritter has about 73,000 books, videos and other items in its collections, but can access 31 library systems across northern Ohio through the Clevnet consortium, according to Kishman.

Grand opening

Saturday’s grand opening also offers a hole-in-one contest 2 to 5 p.m. at McGarvey’s Landing, where contestants can try to hit a hole-in-one from a custom-designed green in the Quaker Steak & Lube parking lot off Liberty Avenue. Winners could take home a car or truck courtesy of Liberty Ford. Cleveland Cavaliers and Lake Erie Crushers mascots and storybook characters also will be on hand at the library during the afternoon.

Go to www.ritterpubliclibrary.org for details.

Contact Steve Fogarty at 329-7146 or sfogarty@chroniclet.com.

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