Edmonds Library Sports New Look, New Services

Want a good read, and a good place to read it? The Edmonds Library's got you covered.

With facility plan upgrades including new signs inside and outside the library, new roller shades funded by the Friends of the Library, brand new shelves in several areas, and a new online service to let patrons read the full text of magazines on your favorite e-reader, the library is providing more services, more easily, says Managing Librarian Lesly Kaplan.

"Part of the strategic plan is to make it comfortable inviting space that’s got enticing materials here," says Kaplan, who was part of the signage committee. The new signs inside the library are designed to help people more easily find the section they are seeking.

"You walk in the door and you can discover where you want to go right away, it’s kind of a branding of Edmonds area," Kaplan says of the color-coded signs that were installed in mid-December. The library also has new exterior signs.

Meanwhile, the Friends of the Library funded a $10,000 project to install new roller shades that can be pulled down to reduce sunglare without blocking the view from the reading area.

A brand new service being offered by the library is a Zinio magazine database, which allows library card holders to read full magazine articles, slick pictures and all, on their favorite e-readers. Kaplan said the service is a great addition, as paper magazine collections are one of the most difficult to manage, and the service will allow patrons access to much more material more easily.

In addition, the library wants to make sure patrons know about services that aren't new, but are often "under the radar." For example, people can "book a librarian" for free anytime for one-on-one help with, well, anything. Librarians will help with learning how to download e-books, research, small-business startup resources. In addition, the library hosts online after-school tutoring for students, where they can chat live with a tutor. Another fun program is the "Reading with Rover" program every other Saturday, where kids can practice their reading skills by reading to service dogs at the library.