Township's new public library to feature more than books

The Princeton Public Library will move into its new home — at the corner of Witherspoon and Wiggins streets, where its old structure was located — on April 1.

The library, currently housed in temporary quarters at the Princeton Shopping Center, will reopen within a new three-story building featuring state-of-the-art amenities and significantly more space than the old library.

"Before, we had a first-rate library in a second-rate building. We're finally going to be able to match the quality of the two," said Tim Quinn, spokesman for the library. "Both the building and the collection will be absolutely first-rate."

The new 55,000-square-foot library is a vast improvement over the old building, which was built in 1965. "The old library was built 25 percent smaller than what was recommended at the time, so the children's room had to be basically cut in half," Quinn said. "It was a very cramped environment."

The new library will have about 115 public access computers, compared to the 30 computers in the old building, Vickie Brooks, the library's network administrator, said.

She added that the library received "tremendous support" from the University's OIT, which contributed consulting services.

The library will also feature a technology discovery center, which will offer computer classes and provide digital cameras, PDAs and software like Adobe Photoshop for patron use.

On the first floor, Chez Alice, a Nassau Street catering company, will run the Open Book Cafe. A separate "living room," with comfortable seating and a fireplace, will also be located on the first floor, offering a space "where people can just sit and relax," Quinn said.

Unlike the old library, where "public seating was sacrificed to accommodate technology space," Quinn said, the new library will have several open spaces and meeting rooms, including a community meeting room that will be able to accommodate 160 people.

Another addition to the library will be a display of documents on the history of the town of Princeton, which will be housed in a room on the second floor.

The Princeton room will also feature a Katherine Hackel tile installation portraying the history of the town.

Hackel's piece is one of several works of art by local and international figures that will grace the new library, Quinn said.

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Adding to the convenience of the library will be the new express checkout, which will use radio frequency technology to allow patrons to check out materials on their own.

Though the library is slated to open April 1, it may not open until April 5th, depending on when the Borough issues a temporary certificate of occupancy, Quinn said.

University students will be able to obtain library cards free of charge.