Library revamps interior, adds computers, new furniture

• The Pataskala Public Library is revamping its interior, adding new computers and furniture
• Some of the changes already are in place
• Some will be coming in the near future
• The library outlined its plans for the changes earlier this year

PATASKALA – Patrons who visit the Pataskala Public Library in the coming weeks may notice a few changes.

Library officials announced earlier this year they intended to make a number of improvements to the Vine Street facility, and the time has come to see those improvements realized, library Fiscal Officer/Director Jeff Rothweiler said.

“We knew we needed to update our old furniture and try to improve the tech side of things a little more and be a little more tech friendly (to patrons),” Rothweiler said. “It’s that time.”

The bulk of the library’s furniture dated back to the 1980s, and the first thing the facility did was refinish its decades-old tables and chairs. The newly-refinished furniture currently is on display, both in the adult section and in the children’s section.

To make patrons’ time at the library more comfortable, the library also ordered lounge-style chairs.

The chairs will be placed next to the computer station in the adult section and alongside a wall in the children’s section. Space already has been cleared in both areas for the more comfortable chairs, which should be delivered in the coming weeks.

“We’re going to create areas with softer seating for lounging and reading,” Rothweiler said.

Aside from updating its furniture, the library also is improving its internet offerings.

On the children’s side of the facility, it is adding a large circular table and four computers.

Patrons under the age of 18 will be able to use them.

It is keeping the six-computer station on the adult side of the library, but Rothweiler said the addition of the four computers on the children’s side should free up those computers more frequently. On average, the library currently receives 800 to 1,000 requests per month to use the six computers.

To make it easier to use the existing and new computers moving forward, the library is adding new software that will allow patrons to sign up to use them from home. Patrons previously had to sign up at the front desk.

The library also is adding software that will allow patrons to print out resumes and other items from their laptops and mobile devices to the library’s printer. They also will be able to send items from their home computers to the library’s printer via the library’s website. The cost, moving forward, will remain 10 cents per page, Rothweiler said.

“We do get a number of patrons who come in and say, ‘I’m out of ink at home’ and ask to print stuff,” Rothweiler said. “Now you can just sent that to us from home.”

The last new improvement concerns the non-internet computer room that stands next to the entrance. With the new printing software making those computers redundant, the library intends to turn the space into a study room.

“We do get teachers who come in here for tutoring and that will be a good space to tutor kids,” said Rothweiler, adding it could take the library a few months to rework the space.