COVER STORY

“Imaginative play is really important to skill development.”

Roewe said he’s looking forward to partnering with the Spokane Valley Parks department to offer programs in the park and in the library.

There will be a computer area where people can access the internet and use a printer. There will also be laptops available for checkout, though the laptops can only be used in the building and can’t be taken home, Roewe said.

A spacious parking lot sits freshly paved and painted just north of the new library and the roads surrounding the library and the expanded park were previously widened by the city to accommodate increased traffic and to allow street parking.

While the library will have all new furnishings, including bookshelves, the district will need time to move all the books and other equipment from the old library. The current Spokane Valley Library will shut down on June 5 to give the district two weeks to make the move. The grand opening for the new library is scheduled for 9:30 a.m. on June 17.

Though construction is nearly complete, the Library Foundation of Spokane County is still looking for donations, which can be made online at www.supportscld.org/ sv-library-campaign. “We’ve raised just about half of our $1 million goal,” said Communications and Development Director Jane Baker.

There are also opportunities to make a $500 donation and have a paver in the new library’s courtyard engraved with names, a phrase or short message. The 12” by 12” squares can fit three lines with up to 20 characters per line, including spaces.

There are also corporate sponsorships available for naming rights for meeting rooms, gardens and benches, Baker said. Information on those fundraising efforts is also available on the Foundation’s web site.

The district is looking forward to finally opening the new library up for public access, Roewe said. “It’s the 20th anniversary of the city,” he said. “This is our gift to the city. We’re just excited to open the doors to the public on the 17th.”