Lakewood Pierce County Library will be closed Monday, Dec. 20, 2010-Sunday, Jan. 2, 2011, to bring residents better access to services starting Monday, Jan. 3. Pierce County Library System will make the following updates to the 47 year old library, located at 6300 Wildaire Road S.W.:
- Overall layout of the library.
- Placement of noisy and quiet activities to better meet customers’ needs.
- Multiple computer areas versus one central place.
- Access to movies and music improved.
- More reading and group study areas.
“Visits and use at all of our libraries is bursting at the seams and Lakewood Pierce County Library—the oldest library in the system—is struggling to meet the demands,” said Neel Parikh, the Library System’s executive director. “These quick and simple changes to the layout of the library should help meet residents’ immediate and past-due needs.” Parikh said the current layout does not meet the needs of the diverse people using the library and their competing uses.
Without a bond, the Library cannot fully implement Pierce County Library 2030, the Library’s facility master plan which describes needs for larger library buildings.
“The new design for Lakewood Library responds to some of the public’s requests, without a bond, such as separate noisy and quiet areas and more computer and reading spaces,” said Parikh.
Also, in response to a $1.5 million shortfall for 2010 the Library System reduced staffing throughout the system. Lakewood Library lost staff time. The new design will help staff more efficiently serve the growing number of customers.
During the closure, customers may pick up books and items on hold at Lakewood Library, Monday-Thursday, 2-9 p.m.; Friday, 2-6 p.m.; and Saturday and Sunday, 1-5 p.m. Customers may also visit one of 16 other libraries listed on the Library’s website and access online services 24/7 @ www.piercecountylibrary.org.