New Scenic Regional Library Building Opens Monday, July 23
The Scenic Regional Library's Sullivan branch will be closed from Wednesday, July 18, through Sunday, July 22, in order to move to the new facility. The new branch, located at 525 Cumberland Way next to the First Presbyterian Church, will open to the public on Monday, July 23.
The new facility will be 10,000 sq. ft., over triple the size of the current 3,000 sq. ft. building, which is owned by the City of Sullivan. The new library will have a 1,000 sq. ft. public meeting room and programming space; dedicated teen and children's areas; teen gaming area with an Xbox One; children's activities, including a Lego table, magnet walls, and 55" touch screen tablet; drive-up book drop; ten public computers; free wireless access; two patios with shade structures and outdoor seating; two study rooms; an adult seating area with a fireplace; and many other features.
Scenic Regional Library will add over 7,000 additional new items to the branch's collection for opening day. The branch will also be open an additional evening at the new location, Mondays until 8:00 PM.
Anyone can obtain a free Scenic Regional Library card, including Washington and Crawford County residents, by visiting a branch and presenting a photo ID.
Sullivan Friends of the Library members will be given a private tour of the new facility on Thursday, July 19, at 7:00 PM. The tour will be given by the library director for Friends members only before the branch opens to the public. People can join the Friends group online for as little as $10 by visiting www.scenicregionalfoundation.org. Memberships are tax deductible and all proceeds go to use at the Sullivan branch.
A grand opening event for the new library will be held on Saturday, August 11, from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM. The event will have live music by the Steve Woolley Band and free hot dogs, drinks, and popcorn. There will also be free children's activities, including air brush tattoos, children's carnival games, a bounce house, and a balloon artist.
A dedication ceremony will take place from 11:30 AM to 11:50 AM at the grand opening event and feature guest speakers Missouri State Librarian Robin Westphal; Acting Franklin County Presiding Commissioner Tim Brinker; Scenic Regional Library Trustee Leonard Butts; and Scenic Regional Library Director Steve Campbell. The short ceremony will conclude with a ribbon cutting with the Sullivan Area Chamber of Commerce.
The Sullivan Public Library joined the Scenic Regional Library in October 2015. The system serves Franklin. Gasconade, and Warren counties, as well as the Sullivan portion of Crawford County. Scenic Regional Library has nine branches, located in Hermann, Owensville, St. Clair, Union, Wright City, Warrenton, Pacific, Sullivan, and New Haven.