The $4.3 million Arbutus branch of Baltimore County's library system is winning rave reviews from its youngest to oldest patrons after officially reopening at a new location.
While her mother watched from a cozy window seat, Emily Riesett celebrated her fifth birthday Monday playing at cake-baking in the children's area of the Sulphur Spring Road library.
"It is the only thing she wanted to do for her birthday," Karen Riesett said of her daughter. "We just love how family-friendly it is here."
Meanwhile, Anthony DellaVacchia, 88, chose several volumes from the shelves and settled into an easy chair in the "quiet room." In cooler weather, he might have basked in the warmth of the fireplace.
"I have been coming to the Arbutus library for more than 40 years, and this one is so much better," he said. "This is just such a beautiful, gorgeous place."
The branch, one of 17 in the library system, shares its 10-acre campus with the county's 20th and newest senior center and a 9,000-square-foot recreation complex. The total cost of the three facilities, which officials dedicated Tuesday, is nearly $11 million.
The Arbutus library began in the basement of a hardware store more than 62 years ago. It had outgrown its fourth location, a leased space in a business park, where it operated for 18 years. Vacating that site saves the county $300,000 in annual rent.
After a brief hiatus, the branch reopened two weeks ago in a one-story brick building that offers 25,000 square feet of space, 28 public computer stations and extra desk space for those with laptops. It also has a drive-up service window, meeting rooms that can accommodate 228 people, flat-screen televisions, group study areas and nearly 120,000 items to lend.
Adjoining is the 8,000-square-foot senior center with classrooms, a multipurpose room with a kitchen, and crafts and game areas.
"I would rather give up my driver's license than my library card," said Lauretta Day, 72, who checked out a stack of books, DVDs and magazines. She also plans to sign up for a class at the senior center.
"I am here at least once a week and will be at the senior center often, too," she said. "This whole place is just a beautiful thing that everyone in the neighborhood should take advantage of. It won't cost you a thing."
The energy-efficient building incorporates "green" features such as large, arched windows that shower the interior with natural light and offer a glimpse of Baltimore's skyline.
After touring the library, Catherine Burton, 76, gushed over the views, the volumes and the quiet spaces.
"The building is so big you can get lost and so beautiful that you want to stay," she said.
Several teens lounged in seats that mark their own quiet area.
"I love hanging out here," said Miranda Taylor, 16. "It's so nice I could live here."
Gail Ross, the branch manager, posted greeters at the doors to answer questions and hand out diagrams to help patrons find materials. Circulation reached 330,000 last year , but judging from the traffic since the "Library Open Normal Hours" sign went up, that number will significantly increase, Ross said.
The location is more accessible to walkers and offers motorists 167 parking spaces, a vast improvement from the 19 spots available at the industrial park site.
"This is a great, big present to the community," Ross said. "We have the building next door for seniors and recreation just up the hill, and we are all working together."
mary.gail.hare@baltsun.com