The Fultondale Public Library, which has long needed an expansion and facilities update, is in the process of moving. The library should open at its new location, on a lot next to the Quail Ridge shopping center, in a couple of weeks.  

The new building is much larger, with just under 8,000 square feet of floor space, but the city has seen the possible need for future growth. The plan for construction placed the building on a spacious lot, with 2,000 square feet of additional space for future building expansion.

In addition to being more spacious, the new library promises many additional benefits. There will be a coffee station, an outdoor patio and more seating. The library will have many more computers with a faster Internet connection, and computers designated especially for children.

There will also be a new self-checkout station, which should ease congestion in the checkout process.

In addition, the building will house a meeting room, another accommodation not included at the old location. It is unknown yet whether the meeting room will be available for rent, but it will be utilized for the library’s summer reading program.

The exact date of the opening is not yet known, according to Assistant Director Jessica Allen. The new location will not open until the staff is able to do their own inspection of the building and move all of the media from the old location.  

Architectural inspections took place April 5, and the library staff has started moving material.

The library has been closed recently to prepare for the move, which may leave some regular patrons even more anxious for the opening of the new location, but the new building and facilities are sure to be met with public approval.  

Although the new location will be more spacious and have many necessary changes, Allen said that the library “will definitely have the same atmosphere.”

The city has not announced plans for the old library building.