Community Library prepares for new chapter in Twin Lakes

Twin Lakes Community Library Employees Danijela Djurdjevic, head of information services (from left); Corinne Nordigan, youth services; Leslie Taylor, circulation aide and Susan Washack, circulation clerk, work to get everything cleared our in preparation of construction crews, due later this week. Photo by Annette Newcomb

By Annette Newcomb

Editor

It’s on the first week of the Twin Lakes/Randall Community Library renovation project and as of Monday library employees had almost everything packed up.

There are five storage pods in front of the library, at 110 South Lake Avenue in Twin Lakes, filled to the gills with boxes of books and reference materials. The library shares a parking lot with the Subway restaurant.

The library was cramped into 3,800 sq. ft. The renovation will expand that useable space to 6,300 sq. ft. Some walls will be knocked out, opening up the space. There will be more room for public access computers, programs, shelves for materials, and general seating areas. New carpet, paint and other items will give the heavily used library a new look.

The library officially closed Sept. 18 and patrons who have books and need library services are welcome to use the sister facilities in Silver Lake and Salem

Silver Lake has extended its hours to accommodate Twin Lakes patrons. Those hours are Monday through Thursday, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Friday and Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and closed on Sunday. The Silver Lake Library is located at 729 S. Cogswell Drive.

The Salem Library is located at 24615 89th Street. Hours are Monday through Thursday, 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Friday and Saturday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and closed Sunday.

 

History

According to its website, the Community Library began in 1977 with 3,000 books and a dedicated band of volunteers. Housed in one room at Salem Grade School, the library was open 28 hours a week.

In 1980, a joint agreement was signed by Salem and Paddock Lake establishing the Community Library as a municipal library funded by local taxes. The Library then joined with Kenosha Public Library to form the Kenosha County Federated Library System; residents of Kenosha County now pay either a municipal or a county tax for library services.

The Library moved to Silver Lake in 1981, and Silver Lake became a member of the library district in 1987. Twin Lakes and Randall joined the district in 1993 with the opening of a facility in Twin Lakes.

In 1993 Paddock Lake, Silver Lake, and Salem agreed to build a much needed new facility. Construction began in June of 1994 and the new building opened in May of 1995.

To date, the Library has issued more than 25,000 cards and has a collection of more than 60,000 items.

There are eight full-time and 21 part-time employees, but volunteers continue to play a vital role in the day-to-day operations. The Library also has the cooperation and loyal support of the Friends of the Community Library.

For more information log on to www.communitylib.org or call 843-3348.


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