LIBRARIES
RENEWED The Central Library welcomes the public for the first time in over two years, and it’s been well worth the wait
The River Rumpus Playspace is built for kids. ERICK DOXEY PHOTO
BY MADISON PEARSON
W
hat was previously known as Spokane’s Downtown Library has received a significant face-lift over the past couple of years. In 2018, voters approved a $77 million bond, setting in motion plans to renovate four existing Spokane Public Library branches and build three new branches. The downtown branch began undergoing its transformation in March 2020, and now the updated Central Library is open and ready for the public to fill its halls again. “This building originally opened in 1996,” says Amanda Donovan, director of marketing and communications for Spokane Public Library. “It was due for some major capital improvements.” Obvious changes have been made to the building’s exterior and interior: floor-to-ceiling windows offer exquisite reading light, and an information desk sits proudly at the back of the main foyer staffed with employees ready to share knowledge with eager library-goers.
NOVEL IDEAS
The renovations — while still retaining the main purpose of a library, housing books — reflect the needs of the people of Spokane.
24 INLANDER JULY 14, 2022
“We ran polls and asked the public what they wanted to be included in the remodeled branch,” Donovan says. “Many asked for more meeting and study rooms — the previous building only had two meeting rooms. Some requested more computers and upgraded technology.” With three times the original amount of meeting space, the building has ample room to accommodate work meetings, study sessions and book clubs. Librarygoers can reserve rooms through the Spokane Public Library’s app. There, they’ll receive a code that they can then type into the respective meeting room door. “The implementation of the codes was something extremely vital to this space,” Donovan says. “It’s what really brings us to the next-level library status and gives our guests complete privacy when they want it and a feeling of security.” The ground floor houses 66 computers as well as a Bloomberg computer terminal, which offers access to Bloomberg’s investment data service, news feeds, messaging and trade execution services. The Central Library is one of the only libraries in the country to have this software available to guests; however, all of this cuttingedge technology can feel a bit daunting.
“We’ve ensured that each room in the library has an expert of sorts,” Donovan says. “For instance, our business lab has Mark Pond, our business services librarian, who works with entrepreneurs in the community and helps them with market research and starting their businesses.”
SECOND STORY
Hanging right above the main staircase is a commissioned art piece by Portland-based artist John Rogers titled “Shimmer.” Inspired by the Spokane River, the iridescent fragments of dichroic glass scatter light throughout the room below. It’s well worth participating in some neck craning to take in the beauty of the entire piece. The second floor houses the traditional library offerings: books in hardcover and paperback, audiobooks, and five new study rooms. A new flora and fauna-themed children’s play area called the River Rumpus Playspace also lives on the second floor. “We decided to include dedicated children’s areas in all of our new buildings,” Donovan says. “With the popular Garbage Goat just a few blocks away, we decided to incorporate it into the theme of the Central playscape.” ...continued on page 26
