An East Lansing secret has been getting around.
The East Lansing Public Library has been gaining popularity since the completion of an 18-month renovation project began in 1998.
“We see ourselves as a treasure chest of jewels, a number of which are undiscovered,” said Laurie St. Laurent, head of adult and children services.
The addition created additional room in the existing building at 950 Abbott Road, new furniture, bookshelves and materials.
The project was funded with a $2 million bond passed in November 1995 that received a 75 percent approval rating within the community.
“We’re a source of recreation and entertainment for the community,” she said. “We’ve found we’re not just an in-and-out place anymore but a destination where people can come for the morning or afternoon.”
Among those options are open seating on couches and armchairs, several personal lit study desks and two group study rooms.
St. Laurent said these options make the library a good alternative for MSU students looking to get away from the busier areas around campus when studying for exams.
Chris Sterr, a communication junior, started using the East Lansing Public Library this year because it is closer to his house than the MSU libraries, but he’s noticed its other benefits.
“This library is more attractive because it is quiet and low key,” he said. “I haven’t used it for its resources as much as I do to study.”
Casey Meekhof, an East Lansing High School graduate and computer science junior, used the library for years before moving to MSU and its library system, but he still enjoys the local library feel.
“MSU (Main Library) has more to offer (in terms of research), but I get more done (at the East Lansing Public Library) because there are fewer people,” he said.
And, St. Laurent added, since the addition they’ve seen a jump in interest for library uses and programs.
The library’s circulation has continued to improve, jumping up by more than 40,000 in the past fiscal year. From 1999 to 2000 circulation stood at 323,745, but from 2000 to 2001 it reached 368,425.
Circulation refers to the amount of material checked out of the library.
Aaron Smith, head of circulation and interlibrary loan for the East Lansing Public Library, said the jump was generated by a number of recent staff initiatives including a push for over-the-phone renewals and the launching of a Web site.
Between 1999-2000 and 2000-2001 phone renewals increased by 83 percent, walk-ins were up 74 percent and Web site renewals were at 2,478 in its first year of availability.
“We’re really moving along, but we’d like to see circulation go even higher,” Smith said.
For information on obtaining a library card, contact the library at (517)351-2420. The library is open Monday through Thursday 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., Friday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. and Sunday from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Casey McNenly contributed to this report.
