If the Richland Library isn’t the best of the city libraries … I’d be really shocked. Especially after finally being able to get inside the newly renovated Richland Library during its ribbon-cutting ceremony on Friday. The place was packed — I think the Herald said/estimated 400 people were there. I showed up with the kids a little after 10 am and couldn’t even get in the door; we were stuck standing in the foyer while lines continued to grow behind us.

Anyway, the building itself is really terrific. It’s grown from 33,000 square feet to 58,000 square feet, and now has a second level with fiction, biographies, as well as a section for newspapers and magazines. Everything inside is new — new furnishings, new carpet, new windows, new bathrooms — you name it. There’s even about $60,000 worth of new books waiting to be read.

What really stood out to me as we walked around is the amount of what I’ll call “casual space” — it was almost like what I remember the school library being like when Cari and I were students at Pepperdine 20 years ago. The Richland Library has twice the number of tables as before, three times the space for kids, and four times the space for young adults. (Yes, different casual areas are intended for different audiences.) There are four study rooms and four meeting rooms, too.

There’s also a lot of technology — 70 new computers, and a Wi-Fi network that’s 4x more powerful than before. Oh, and look for a coffee bar to open up later this year in the front lobby.

And maybe the most impressive thing is that all this is happening in a time when many cities are cutting back on their libraries in order to meet budget demands. Richland’s library has expanded and improved.

Set aside an hour and be sure to check it out, and then tell us if you agree it’s the nicest city library in the area. It’s gotta be. Same location as before: 955 Northgate Drive. You’ll love it, guaranteed.

If you can’t get there soon, check out our photoset on Flickr: Richland Library Grand Re-Opening Here are a couple faves:

[where: Richland Library, 455 Northgate Drive, Richland, WA 99352]

Thank you for reading this article on the Richland Real Estate Blog. If you arrived here looking for specific real estate information, or would like to speak with a friendly, fun, and professional real estate agent, please contact Cari via her web site or call her directly at 509 – 430 – 5342 and she’ll be glad to help. Thanks again for visiting!