Mid-Continent Public Library has announced the completion of renovations at its Camden Point Branch (401 Hardesty St., Camden Point) and Dearborn Branch (206 Maple Leaf Ave.), which both reopened to the public on Jan. 22.
An official rededication ceremony will be held at the Camden Point Branch on Friday, March 29, at 9 a.m. and at the Dearborn Branch on Friday, March 29, at 11 a.m. Each will include remarks from Library leadership as well as local officials, followed by a ribbon-cutting ceremony and reception.
“It’s such an honor to be able to celebrate these improvements with the people who made it all possible our community members” said Tiara Dixon, manager of MCPL’s Camden Point, Dearborn, and Edgerton branches. “Residents reaffirmed their commitment to the Library when they passed Proposition L in 2016 making all these upgrades possible and now the library has demonstrated its commitment to our communities by reinvesting in our buildings as well as our resources and services.”
In addition to the rededication ceremonies, the Camden Point and Dearborn branches will each host an Open House on Saturday, March 30. The Dearborn open house will kick off at 10 a.m. on Saturday with live entertainment from juggler Brian Wendling at 10:30, and the Camden Point open house will begin at 1 p.m. with performances by KC Magic Man Brad Lynn. Both will also include refreshments, a selfie station, and an appearance from the Library’s mascot, Marty the Martian.
At the ceremony on Friday and throughout the day on Saturday, the branches will give away special commemorative tokens (one per person) that can be used one time to clear all Library fines and fees up to $10. In addition, the Library will offer a mobile scavenger hunt through the free GooseChase app, which customers can participate in to qualify for a $50 gift certificate to Trex Mart. The Camden Point and Dearborn branches scavenger hunt will kick off at the rededication ceremonies on March 29 and run through April 5 at 6 p.m.
Since the Camden Point and Dearborn branches closed on November 8, 2018 they have each received a variety of interior and exterior upgrades, including new outdoor seating areas as well as upgraded technology, such as new computers and improved Wi-Fi coverage and access.
As part of MCPL’s capital improvement plan, the Camden Point and Dearborn branches are two of many library branches to receive upgrades, which have been made possible by increased funding from the passage of Proposition L by voters in 2016.
While the upgrades at each branch vary based on individual community needs and the building’s current condition, the library’s goal has been to create more intentional spaces and improve essential technology.
Design work for the five-year Capital Plan is being completed by Sapp Design Architects and Helix Architecture + Design with JE Dunn assuming responsibility for construction contractor management.
In addition to all the physical upgrades, the increased funding approved by voters in 2016 has allowed MCPL to expand branch hours, enhance special services, augment early literacy efforts, and buy more materials.