It's opening day for the newest library in the Spokane County Library system. But this one isn't quite like the other 10 libraries in the network as this one is a "boutique library" ,a sort of express format of a traditional library and is located inside the Spokane Valley Mall. The new library goes by the name The Bookend and occupies a 2200 square foot space on the second floor of the mall, nearby Macy's. It is to employ about 6.
Today is the soft opening for The Bookend and an actual grand opening will be held around the middle of June. Patrons of The Bookend will find this branch smaller then the others but still packed with many of the services that draw people into those other branches. The Bookend will stock some books, CD's and DVD's available for loan, computer workstations and a children's area with books and reading spaces . The Library District decided to open this branch based largely on the success of other libraries around the country moving branches into shopping centers.
The Spokane County Library District has been hoping to build a new Valley branch for sometime and they say they still plan to as this location is a smaller express branch. Most of the talk surrounding a new full service library has had it being built across from the new Spokane Valley City Hall off of Sprague but a recent article in the Journal of Business indicates a new branch might one day be built on Sullivan Rd. Either way there are no immediate plans just yet and we will be watching for more.
For more information on the Spokane County Library District , check them out at-
