Roomy, modern building opens today

Thursday, May 14 | 7:15 p.m.

BY HOWARD BUCK
COLUMBIAN STAFF WRITER

BATTLE GROUND - At noon today, this growing city gets its long-coveted 21st century public library.

Still, there's a nice rustic touch to the spacious new Battle Ground Community Library, new centerpiece of the urban-design Battle Ground Village development.

Inside the front doors off Southeast Eighth Way sit most of the library's dozen Internet terminals and online catalogs, framed by distinctive wooden pallet gates.

That's the "computer corral," said Jackie Spurlock, Battle Ground's head librarian. And the label seems apt.

In response to residents' input, the library design reflects a comfy, relaxed "Northwest feel," she said. No glitzy chrome or brushed steel, here. "They didn't want an urban feel, at all," she said.

Pale yellow walls and abundant natural light from windows, plus thoughtful light fixtures, high ceilings and earth-tone carpet, give the place a homey touch.

That's not counting the 20-foot stone fireplace in the main reading room. Its gas-lit flames invite visitors to snuggle up and park a while.

"It's beautiful. I'm just flabbergasted," said Jane Higgins, who led a fundraising effort that put nearly $1 million into the $4.4 million building.

"Look at what the community gave itself," Higgins said.

Other support came from $2.4 million paid by the Fort Vancouver Regional Library District, which now owns the facility, and an initial $1 million gift of land and the building shell by Dennis Pavlina, Village developer.

Today marks a "soft opening" for FVRL's newest branch.

Until a May 30 grand opening party, the building will operate on a reduced schedule. Library staff continue to flesh out its collection and train on new phones, computers and materials-tracking equipment.

Visitors should enjoy many features that Battle Ground's old, cramped Main Street library lacked for its six decades.

Floor space has about tripled, and the book collection has grown more than 50 percent to about 65,000 titles. The DVD video collection is much larger.

Four automated check-out machines, two of them in the children's area, should ease service desk lines. There are three drop slots, one of them inside.

The building has Wi-Fi for personal Web use. There are 12 Internet terminals, up from two, including one in the children's area. And, two handy online catalog terminals are stationed right in the book stacks.

Apart from the children's area is a teen alcove that can be cordoned off with the pallet-type sliding gates. There's even a small "tween" area for other youths. Each section has distinct furnishings and collections.

Two small study rooms offer privacy, while the Meyer Memorial Trust Community Room can hold 53 people for meetings. It sports an overhead projection system and kitchenette area.

Opposite the large fireplace is the Pat Redjou Literacy Area, dedicated to the woman who launched Battle Ground's adult literacy program. It has room for conversation circles, learning materials in several languages and dedicated storage space for class supplies.

All signs point to a good match with the community's needs and a prominent role in the evolving Village. Next door is the city's open-air farmers market. There's a coffee shop and frozen custard shop across the street, and due soon, a new brewpub.

"We're firmly placed in this little part of town," Spurlock said.

The librarian said she expects families to flood the library when its popular children's summer reading program kicks off June 2. Now, her roomy building can withstand the surge.

"I am so excited," Spurlock said. "We always have been a very busy library. We're going to be able to serve patrons so much better in this space."

Howard Buck: 360-735-4515 or howard.buck@columbian.com.