Big Lakers move library

SCOTT CHRISTIANSEN-Frontiersman reporter

Big Lake residents and other community members turned out in full force earlier this week to help move the Big Lake Library. Librarian Jo Cassidy wanted to thank the many people who helped out.

"It's not any one group, but the whole community," Cassidy said Monday.

By Wednesday afternoon about 75 people had volunteered, according to Cassidy.

The old Big Lake Library was a little more than 2,500 square feet and comprised of three portable buildings cobbled together. The new Big Lake Library is approximately 6,500 square feet and under one roof. The old library didn't have enough space for child-sized shelves, so some children's books were placed out of reach. The new library has a children's section that puts juvenile literature within reach, has child-sized furniture and colorful giant animal-shaped lounge pillows. The new building also features a small meeting room for people of all ages, and DSL Internet connection at the computer stations.

A recent report from the Mat-Su Borough compared library circulation trends from fiscal year 2002 to fiscal year 2001. The report showed that up until March 31, the Big Lake Library's total circulation, including checkouts and renewals, had grown from 16,396 to 17,496.

The Big Lake Library was closed all week for the move. The library will open with regular hours starting Tuesday, April 23. There will be a ribbon-cutting and dedication celebration for the new library in June.