After eight long years, and more than $3 million in renovations, the Walnut Street West branch of the Free Library of Philadelphia is back in business.
The grand reopening celebration for the 99-year-old structure was held Saturday at the southeast corner of 40th and Walnut streets.
Third District City Councilwoman Jannie Blackwell, State Rep. Jim Roebuck and Bonnie Green, deputy city representative for Mayor John Street, were among the dignitaries in attendance for the ribbon-cutting ceremony.
"It's a great day for West Philadelphia," Roebuck said. "It's a great day for this community. We have our library back."
Despite the lingering threat of scattered showers, the atmosphere surrounding the event was festive. Throughout the afternoon, a variety of performers entertained the crowd, including a live jazz band, an a cappella singing group, a violinist, a puppeteer and a stilt-walker.
The library features many state-of-the-art amenities, such as a self-check-out option, and public spaces like the mezzanine-level reading room and an area for preschoolers.
"I've seen a lot of libraries," said 11-year-old University City resident Johari Sankofa. "This is one of the best I've seen. I think they should make the teen section bigger. Otherwise, it's good."
Malika Sankofa, Johari's mother, agreed. "We needed a good library in this area," she said. "It's a blessing to have it, and I'll enjoy it much more when it's less crowded."
And those who remember the old library may not recognize the new version. "There's about 60,000 items, and the building is the best of the old and the new," said Patti McLaughlin, temporary branch head of the Walnut Street West library.
Walnut Street West boasts a new radio frequency identification self-check-out system, thanks to a $168,000 contribution from Checkpoint Systems, Inc., becoming the first branch in the Philadelphia Library system to possess this technology.
It is also registered with the U.S. Green Building Council as part of the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design project, because of the use of recycled contact materials, environmentally safe paints and special windows.
The branch was closed in October 1996 after installation of computer wiring revealed the building's foundation was structurally unsound.
"I've been missing [the library] for eight years," said Joanne Pellerman, who has lived in the neighborhood for 29 years. "I used to come here regularly, and I'm happy they were really able to use the original building and put the entrance back on 40th Street."
Reviews of the newly renovated structure were overwhelmingly positive. "There's so much choice, and it's really useful," said Jennifer Farrall, a University City resident for the past two years. "We're very proud that it opened here."
Kathleen Turner, a resident of the West Philadelphia neighborhood for two decades, echoed these sentiments, and looks forward to using the building.
"It's wonderful to have the library back," she said. "It looks like they've done a great job with the place, to make it a community center and not just a library."
Josiah Cohen, 11, agreed. "This is going to be great," he said. "I hope it stays here, because it's close to my house."
