ONTARIO — The newly-renovated Ontario library feels bright, open and airy from the moment you walk through the front door.
But staff and patrons said it wasn’t always that way.
The Ontario branch of the Mansfield/Richland County Public Library reopened for business Thursday after nearly a year of renovations.
Branch manager Matt Bachelder said the space is nearly unrecognizable.
“It’s the same square footage, but it kind of feels bigger,” Bachelder said.
The building has the same footprint as before, save for a new patio and new front entrance. But the inside has been reconfigured to make better use of the space, Bachelder said.
The branch now offers a a dedicated teen space, a second meeting room and a makerspace. There’s also upgraded lighting throughout the building. It continues to offer reading materials, DVDs, computer access and a library of things.
The children’s department has new toys like a magnetic gear wall and giant Lite Brite.
“I love it. It’s awesome to see,” said Tim Henson, a Bucyrus resident who has been attending the library for 15 years. “It’s great for the staff and for us patrons as well.”
The Ontario branch temporarily relocated into the Ontario Center, formerly known as the Richland Mall, while the renovations were being done.
Bachelder said the temporary setup worked well — they even reached some community members for the first time.
“A lot of folks who never knew we existed here, because they’d go to the hospital, they’d see us for the first time. We had a lot of new (library) cards,” he said.
“That worked out really well, but we’re also happy that people can come back and see what we’ve done with the place,” he added. “I hope they come here because we’re right across the street.”
The Ontario branch of the library is located at 2221 Village Mall Drive.
(Photos below from the grand re-opening Thursday of the Ontario branch of the Mansfield/Richland County Public Library.)
