Library opens to rave reviews

Library opens to rave reviews

By Diane Gale
staff writer

A stream of visitors flooded Canton's new library on opening day Monday.

And responses about the new digs glowed.

"It's absolutely gorgeous," said Mary Giera, a Westland resident at the library Monday. Her husband, Chuck, said he was surprised by the large collection of computer related books.

"The layout is great," Mary said. "A lot of planning went into it."

The 31,500-square-foot library, next to township hall on Canton Center south of Proctor, features reading areas with a fireplace and tapestry, study areas, meeting rooms and an expansive children's section.

"It's a lot bigger than I expected," said Michelle McGrail, who was researching astrology in preparation for a speech.

DEBORAH CRAWFORD, a teaching graduate student at Eastern Michigan University, was perched in a reading area lined by windows and overlooking scenic open land and trees in the distance. Crawford marveled about the view and excellent lighting.

The Canton resident rented two videos; took advantage of the typewriter room with workers who are "very friendly and willing to help right away," and was impressed by the "large" selection of children's books. The library is "ultra-modern," she said.

[A dedication plaque greets visitors at the library entrance.]

Opening gets a bit wet

Firefighters, arriving in engines and rescue units, showed for the library's opening day Monday afternoon.

They bypassed the bookshelves and headed toward the storage room where about an inch of water had accumulated on the floor.

"A little pebble caught in the back (pressure control) valve," caused the minor flooding, said Jean Tabor, library director.

The water didn't cause damage. "Luckily we have everything up on shelving in there," Tabor said.

"We're looking for a way that it will never happen again so it will go into a drain or outside," she said. "That's one of the wrinkles in a new building."