Schweitzer Brentwood Branch Library Grand Reopening Jan. 7
After closing in April 2016 for a major renovation, the Brentwood Branch Library will reopen with a new look and a new name at 10 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 7.
The grand reopening of the Schweitzer Brentwood Branch Library will begin at 10 a.m. in the community room inside the south doors, then move briefly outside to the front doors for a ribbon cutting, tours and entertainment.
The library will be open for regular service and checkouts all day until normal closing at 6 p.m. At 3:30 p.m. in the community room, Springfield guitarist Dallas Jones will perform a concert for all ages. More grand reopening events are scheduled through the week for all ages including a concert by Springfield cover band Geezer at 2:30 p.m. Jan. 15. The library is at 2214 Brentwood Blvd.
For the first time at the neighborhood library, Sunday hours begin the next day from 1-5 p.m. Sunday drive-up window service will run from noon-5 p.m.
Weekday hours will be 8:30 a.m.-9 p.m. Monday-Thursday; 8:30 a.m.-6 p.m. Friday-Saturday. Drive-up window service will be 7:30 a.m.-9 p.m. Monday-Thursday; 7:30 a.m.-6 p.m. Friday-Saturday.
The branch was renamed to honor Springfieldian Jewell Schweitzer, who donated $1.2 million toward the three-year, $2.5 million campaign. A $15,000 pledge from Guaranty Bank helped complete the campaign in December. The Library Foundation is still accepting gifts to cover additional costs.
The Library Foundation Board of Directors and the ReNew Brentwood Steering Committee oversaw the $2.5 million campaign.
The renovation added a 1,500-square-foot reading room; a media room; two conference rooms; cyber bar; larger children’s department; dedicated teen space and built-in power sources and USB ports for portable devices.
Schweitzer Brentwood Branch Grand Reopening Week Events
- ReBuild Super Structures Storytimes! Tuesday, Jan. 10, 10 a.m., 2 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. for all ages in the community room. Celebrate the new branch as we read and play construction-style! We’ll have stories, songs, activities and crafts that highlight designing, engineering, and building, both big and small.
- ReImagine Library Art. Thursday, Jan. 12, noon, in the community room, for adults. Meet Gabe Bloodworth of Springfield Hot Glass and learn how he designed and created the library’s two custom mobiles, “Contemplation” at the entrance, and “Memories” in the Children’s Department.
- ReConnect with Guided Tours. Thursday, Jan. 12; and Friday, January 13; at 1, 3 and 5 p.m. Get the full story behind the renovation process and special features from the Schweitzer Brentwood staff. Meet for the tour at the checkout desk.
- ReTreat to the Escape Room. Saturday, Jan. 14, 2-3 p.m. It’s a Scooby Doo Clue Escape Room! Think you can put the clues together to solve the crime and figure your way out a disaster? Put your super sleuthing skills to work as you channel the Scooby Doo gang and solve your way out of the Clue mansion before disaster strikes! For grades 6-12.
- ReCover the Classics. Sunday, Jan. 15, 2:30-4:30 p.m. in the community room, for all ages.The band Geezer will revive favorites from the 60s-80s in a celebration concert. Geezer members define themselves as “Not Young, Not Old, Somewhere In Between,” playing a mix of classic rock with a major emphasis on blended harmonies.
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