North Las Vegas Library’s year-old location seeing improvements
It has been less than a year since the North Las Vegas Library moved into its new location inside the North Las Vegas City Hall. Although smaller in space and size, library employees remain optimistic that it was the right move.
The library's old location at 2300 Civic Center Drive closed Sept. 19. The building, which was built in 1966, needed costly renovations to continue operating.
"We wanted to be able to provide a quality service library for the community," said library director Forrest Lewis. "Having the library inside City Hall is saving the city a substantial amount in cost."
Some first-time library visitors were shocked to see the new location at 2250 Las Vegas Blvd. North.
"We just got here, and already I'm wondering where the rest of it is," said Michelle Kowalcyk, as she browsed the library. "The size baffles me. I thought this was just the kid's selection."
"It was a lot better at its old location," said her daughter, Haley Kowalcyk. "There were more choices to choose from."
Lewis said the library went from having roughly 60,000 books to 51,000 books inside its new location. Despite the reduction, he said library card holders have access to the Las Vegas-Clark County Library District for library automation and courier services.
"We have a smaller and more productive collection of books that features trending patterns," Lewis said. "It's much more effective and caters to the needs of the community."
Popular categories include juvenile nonfiction and fiction and instructional and cooking books as well as a small Spanish selection.
A DVD collection is also available, which includes popular mainstream movies for children and adults.
Lewis said the city plans to add more signage for the library.
"The great thing about this new location is its visibility," Lewis said. "We've been able to reach new patrons in this area. There are people that have to take care of their business inside City Hall, and they notice that we have a library here."
A separate computer lab and career center was added across from the library to aid residents with employment opportunities and homework assistance.
Study tables and books for sale are in front of the library, which has free Wi-Fi.
The Friends of the North Las Vegas Library, a volunteer group, has been helping the library receive grants for programs and workshops.
Recently, with the help of the group, the library received a $28,000 grant from the NV Energy Foundation to upgrade its 28 computers that are available to the public.
The funds enabled the library to upgrade the current desktop towers, enhance services to patrons and fund future Virtual Desktop Infrastructure, reducing operating costs.
The North Las Vegas Library District was also selected to receive a $3,000 programming grant for Latino Americans: 500 Years of History.
Programs associated with the grant are scheduled to begin in August and run through June 2016.
The library hosts weekly story times and plans to schedule adult and youth programs, including business, computer and adult certification classes.
In addition, the location plans to have a self-checkout machine installed in August with security gates leading to the library.
"Being in a smaller space won't impact our programming," Lewis said. "We have access to meeting rooms inside the building. A while ago, we had Japanese drummers perform out on the lawn. The city has been gracious with us."
The Aliante Library has been affected as a result of the move. Library staffers' schedules were adjusted to reopen the library an extra day on Fridays.
The North Las Vegas Library's long-term goal is to remain open six days a week, Lewis said.
The building at 2300 Civic Center Drive is planned to become the city police department’s new evidence vault.
Lewis said the community is encouraged to get involved with the library by offering suggestions for programs and workshops.
"We want to break away from the traditional mold of just offering books and become more of an educational resource center," Lewis said.
The library on the first floor of city hall is open from 10:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Thursday.
Visit cityofnorthlasvegas.com or call 702-633-1070.
To reach North View reporter Sandy Lopez, email slopez@viewnews.com or call 702-383-4686. Find her on Twitter: @JournalismSandy.
