New Sisters Library opens quietly

The Sisters Library opened on December 20 without any fanfare, but with many ooohs and aaahhs of appreciation from patrons.

The 8,000-square-foot library will house expanded collections, more computers and a children’s section about the size of the entire “old” library.

The children’s section was popular last week, with families stopping by on Christmas vacation to check out the spacious new facilities.

“We like it,” said Jill Dyer, who was visiting with son Hudson (four-and-a-half) and newborn Baylor. “We love the big kids’ section. This is our first time here.”

The entire library had that new car smell; everything looked fresh and new under the bright lighting.

The library was closed for 10 days for the move from the Main Avenue facility.

Library supervisor Zoe Schumacher said that the staff and movers moved 24,000 total items over the space of three days. The rest of the 10-day closure was devoted to packing and unpacking and getting computers hooked up and books on the shelves.

There are more computers — 10 in the main library and four in the children’s section. There aren’t more books, movies or CDs yet, but they will come.

According to Schumacher, “selectors” will come up from Bend to evaluate the current collection and begin the process of stocking up the new library.

She said a grand opening celebration is tentatively scheduled for January 21.

So far, the community response has been entirely positive.

“Most people will just stand there and what you’ll usually hear is, ‘Wow!’” she said.

That goes for the staff, too.

“This is wonderful,” Schumacher said. “This is absolutely a beautiful facility.”