This is a branch library in one of the poorer parts of an already depressed town, so they are wanting to use it as more of a free community activity center, and the community it’s in will need it.

The library is not gigantic. It was formerly a funeral home. But they did an amazing job fixing it up.

Some of the features this library has or will have soon:

A test kitchen with restaurant-grade equipment.
A workshop with a tool library for lending.
A clean-up room featuring a washer, dryer and shower free for use.
A playground and splash pad for kids.
A huge patio deck for reading, relaxing or whatever else you might want to do.
Just a pleasant place to hang out.

And, of course, the expected things like a children's area, meeting rooms, a teen area, a small computer lab and a small collection of books and DVDs.

Before you start complaining about how “libraries don’t have books anymore!” The book stacks are still a 10-minute drive/bus ride away at the downtown branch. The books aren’t going anywhere. Libraries are more than just books. They are one of the few places the community can get all sorts of resources and a place to access them for free

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[–] FlyingSquid 9 points 1 week ago (1 children)

The main branch already does have a 3D printer! Also a laser cutter, an audio recording booth, sewing machines... all kinds of cool stuff.

[–] InverseParallax 6 points 1 week ago

That's really awesome!

I think things like this really help bring the community together, which is what we've lost the most over the past 3 decades, we've traded being "rich" (ie externally showy) for being comfortable and having a community. We compete with each other and drive ourselves apart.