New Service Desks, Better Flow

The next time you stop by Central Library, you’ll find more room to roam.

That’s because the bulky old second floor reference desk has left the building, to be replaced by a smaller, sleeker help desk on the north side and a new librarian assistance/reference station on the south side. 

Head downstairs and in a few weeks you’ll see the old circulation desk has been retired in favor of a streamlined counter of self-service stations, anchored at the south end by a staff assistance area. The obsolete A/V desk will be removed and the Welcome Desk is being relocated toward the east wall, freeing up more prime space.

And say “good-bye” to the trio of big book drop boxes. They’ll soon be gone, in favor of return slots on the wall that lead directly to the circulation processing area behind.

Among the benefits of this new design: More new book displays, more seating and a new home for the Digital Projects Lab, which will be built in a few months adjacent to the Center for Local History. And staff will no longer have to lug bins of returns weighing hundreds of pounds.

Even the Auditorium lobby will feel roomier too as the old curved ticket/info desk has taken a final bow.

As always, thanks for your patience in pardoning our dust. Central will soon be even better able to handle the needs of 21st century library users like you.

Learn more about 2013 Renovations at Central Library.