SPRINGFIELD – By Thanksgiving, the new branch library serving East Forest Park will be open for business and on Sept. 5, city officials received a tour of the structure, which will be the largest library – next to the Central Library – in the system.

Mayor Domenic Sarno was among those who toured the new library and he said, “I think it’s fantastic.” He added, “It’s well deserved for an area that was tornado ravaged.”

The library is next to the Dryden Memorial School and down the street from the Pope Francis Preparatory School. Sarno noted the proximity to the schools is a plus for area students.

Library Director Molly Fogarty said the new library “exceeds our expectations.” In a written statement, Fogarty noted, “We want everyone to know that this library is going to be so much more than your place to borrow books. It will be a community learning center and a hub for sharing knowledge, expertise and skills. We will have workspaces for professionals and entrepreneurs, study rooms for tutoring and group projects, tons of technology and so many places for children to explore and grow. It will be a place to foster and harness creativity.”

Upon entering the liberty there is a large community room with a kitchen area that is designed to be used after library hours for meetings and programs. Outside of the community room is a garden area that can be used for outdoor events.

There is also a dedicated space for teens at the new library. Fogarty noted that in other libraries, areas for teens and children frequently had to be improvised since the buildings were not built with those purposes in mind.

Next to the teen area is a maker’s space area that is planned for video production and podcasts, among other activities. It will also feature a 3-D printer.

The library has three “quiet rooms.” These rooms can be used by residents for meetings and elected officials could use them in which to conduct office hours. There is a smart TV in each of the rooms.

The large children’s area is noted by a tall ceiling and ringed with windows for plenty of natural light.

Matt Blumenfeld, who is leading The Promise Realized Campaign to raise funds for the library, said the campaign is still $800,000 away from its goals. He believes that by the end of the year the campaign will be completed and noted that donors, both large and small, are invited to support the effort. He believes that when potential contributors see the library they will donate.

To learn more, visit www.springfieldlibrary.org/library/about/promise-realized/

The total project cost is $9.5 million with $4.9 million coming through a highly competitive state grant, $2.6 million through a City bond and the final $2 million from the campaign.

Patrick Markey, president of the Library Foundation, said in a written statement, “The Springfield Library Foundation through its Promise Realized Campaign is seeking to raise $2 million. More than 200 generous donors have already made their gifts or pledges, but we still have around $800,000 to raise to finish the job. It is wonderful to bring prospective donors to the building so they can see just how well their gifts will be used.”