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A new look for books: Beloit library has a fresh feel and more space

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New Beloit Library

Finishing touches are being added to the new Beloit Public Library in the Eclipse Center in the middle of Beloit. The new space is several times larger than the previous space downtown.

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BELOIT — Nobody wants to judge a library by its cover.

But man, what a cover!

Sunshine pours in through skylights and bounces off sleek, modern light fixtures.

In one room, a big fireplace is ready to create a warm, cozy space. In another, bright green and orange walls create a different kind of warm energy.

But the most important part isn't new: piece by piece, the Beloit Public Library's familiar collection is stacking up on brand-new shelves.

The library will open for business Monday, April 27, at its new home at 605 Eclipse Boulevard in the Eclipse Center, formerly the Beloit Mall.

The move from 409 Pleasant St. downtown into the former JCPenney is practically an explosion of space, said Jeni Schomber, the head of youth services and the public relations librarian.

At 55,000 square feet, floor space is many times bigger than the downtown building.

"This is something the city of Beloit has needed and wanted," Schomber said. "Beloit residents deserve a nice space where they can come in, relax and read."

While the old building was bursting at the seams, the new space is more than big enough to hold the library's collection, said Schomber, pointing to empty shelves along the top and bottom of the new stacks.

"We used all seven shelves in almost every section of the old library," Schomber said. "We're only using four here."

That leaves plenty of room to grow. And behind some of the walls in the library is open space ready for expansion 15 years from now.

Beloit's library has stood on the corner of Pleasant Street and East Grand Avenue since 1972, Schomber said. Prior to that, it was on West Grand Avenue from 1902 to 1971, she said.

Some of the original 1902 tables will be moved to the Eclipse Center location to become staff worktables, she said.

While some opposed moving the library out of the downtown, the new spot is more centrally located and boasts four times more parking than the old building, Schomber said.

The big, new space leaves room for other new features such as a 120-person meeting room, two-person study rooms and a quiet reading room with a fireplace. Electronics will be banned from that room, Schomber said.

The childrens library is almost four times bigger than the one downtown and has a separate program room.

The new library will have more than 40 computers for public use—way more than the 13 available today.

The city kicked in $7.7 million toward the $9.5 million project, Schomber said.

The library and the Friends of Beloit Library are working on coming up with the rest, she said.

The friends will host a sneak peak from 4 to 7 tonight, and the library will continue to accept donations, Friends of Beloit Library President Sandra Kincaid said.

The difference between the old and new buildings is "just dramatic," Kincaid said.

As she walked Thursday through the corridor in the new staff work area, Kincaid thought about how much more room library staff will have to do their work.

"I was thinking how much more they're going to be able enjoy their work and how much more they can do for the community," Kincaid said.

Schomber is more than familiar with the space in both buildings. Her first job in high school was working as a page for the library in downtown Beloit. Twelve years later, she's bubbling with excitement about the move.

"We're just thrilled," she said. "It's so deserved."