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Library is getting new look
Patrons relax in style with new benches, bike racks and word search
By Moryt Milo
What do Judy Blume, Dr. Seuss and J.K. Rowlings have in common? Besides being famous children's literature writers, they're all part of a newly installed concrete word search at the entrance to the Campbell Public Library, 77 Harrison Ave.
The life-size word search letters, which scramble the names of 19 famous children's authors, is part of a yearlong project to redesign the library's front entrance, which was sorely in need of a facelift, says Terri Lehan, community library supervisor.
The remodeling was spurred on by patrons who approached the library staff, concerned about too many bikes being left along the ramp that leads to the front doors.
"So many people were bringing their bikes to the library," Lehan says. "Our staff was worried about patron safety and the [disability] access area being blocked."
This initial concern developed into a city master plan to remodel the library entrance. The plan includes a 2-feet-by-6-inch concrete wall with a semi-circle metal-mesh bench, three new bike racks along the south side of the library entrance to accommodate 15 bikes, an information kiosk, new landscaping and the unique concrete letter word search.
The original entrance to the library--opened to the public in 1974--was blocked off for construction in the 1980s and the main approach to the library was never redesigned.
"We have an opportunity to make this entrance look like the front of the library, as we did when the original entrance was first opened," Lehan says.
As part of the new landscaping, the city plans to put in three trees--one providing shade around the word search area-- new groundcover and hedges.
"Many patrons were concerned about the trees being cut down [when the project was started]," Karen Armor, children's services librarian, says. "But we were told by the city that new trees are going to be planted."
The design concept for the word search was the brainchild of Campbell Public Works Director Bob Kass, says Ed Arango, public works assistant.
"The children's authors word search will bring more visual enhancement to the front and a unique look," Arango says.
For Kass, the idea for the word search came as he became involved in a number of public art reviews.
"As I went to the various art reviews, something reminded me of a word search," Kass says. "I thought it would be really neat to have it in the library entrance way."
For children wanting to work the word search solution out with paper and pencil, copies of the puzzle will be available at the children's reference desk in the library, Armor says.
During the project, the Campbell library staff and Campbell City Public Works Department also coordinated efforts to erect an information kiosk at the library entrance.
The kiosk was built as an Eagle Scout Project--the final graduation level in the Boy Scouts--by Campbell resident Garth Hughes, 18. Hughes received donated materials from the Campbell community and assistance on the design from the city's Public Works Department as he worked on the project.
Arango says once the project is completed, children and adults will have a gathering area to sit or read a book and a safe waiting location for children pick-ups. The project is scheduled for completion within the next two to three weeks.
"Anyone interested in viewing the design for the project can see a drawing of the plan in the Campbell Library," Arango says.
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Campbell, California
