5-month renovation adds skylights, new shelves, more computers

The renovation of Sebastopol's small but popular library has been completed, a long-overdue remake welcomed by patrons.

"The new layout is great, it is a great resource for the community," said Colin Moore of Santa Rosa, who was at the library Thursday with his daughter, E'lora, 17 months.

The library had been closed since the end of January for a renovation that includes skylights and energy-efficient lighting, a bamboo-brown carpet replacing the orange carpet, new shelves that are now oriented away from the center of the room, a self-serve check-out system and shelves along the walls to display books.

"These are the brand new non-fiction," said branch manager Sue Struthers, showing off books on shelves with the book cover facing out, bookstore style. "It makes it more attractive. We all like to browse bookstores."

There is also a new section for books, magazines and CDs for teen-agers. The number of computers has been increased from seven to 11, and one is set aside as an express machine that limits patrons to 15 minutes on the Internet.

"Some people just need to get on to check email or print out a boarding pass," Struthers said.

Although the size of the library, 10,000 square feet, has not changed, the renovation gives it a much larger feel.

"It is neat, it is an improvement," said Jacques Koenig of Graton. "And with twice as many computers, one doesn't have to wait."

The renovation cost $791,186 for the branch, which is among Sonoma County's smallest, but is one of the more heavily used, with 1,000 to 1,300 visitors a day.

Jeannie Dulberg of Sebastopol, a consultant for non-profits and for education, said she'll be spending more time at the library to work on her laptop.

"I love it, I have been going to Starbucks because I like to get out of the house," Dulberg said. "The natural light makes it feel so open and light and clean. It is so different than it was before."

The library branch will hold a celebration of the opening at 11 a.m. Saturday with a ribbon-cutting, speeches and refreshments.

You can reach Staff Writer Bob Norberg at 521-5206 or bob.norberg@pressdemocrat.com.