An Afternoon Report of FPL's Grand Opening

What a great day for Fullerton July 23 was! The beautiful sunny day enhanced the newly hung banners encouraging us all to “REDISCOVER” and to RECONNECT to Fullerton Public Library. Arriving at the library about two, I found a place to park on a nearby side street.

Cutting through the parking in my haste to get into the newly renovated and expanded Library I asked Khurshed, a young man, who was just getting into his car what he thought of the new Library. He exclaimed, “It was very beautiful!” He was looking forward to the coffee shop opening soon.

Going up the stairs to the front entrance, I ran into library assistant, Cindra Kerr’s family. Jaclyn and her sister Emily were very impressed with the amount of sunlight in the library as they thought it was so dark before.

In the foyer, by the donors’ wall I found Wilma Bianco who had to rest a bit after she had come in all the way from her home pushing in her luxury model walker with the built in seat. Both she and her granddaughter Renee are mystery readers. They usually check out about ten books at a time. Patrons such as Wilma and others who come in wheelchairs or pushing regular walkers or baby strollers will be pleased to find how easy it is to navigate the library with its entrance ramps and elevator.



In the local history room Jan Oeisdahl, a former resident of Fullerton was visiting with her friend, author and retired FHS librarian, Diane Oestreich who was autographing her book on the history of Fullerton High School. Cheri Pape, of the history room, had just learned from a visiting former student that the Fullerton’s high school was such a rare thing in the early days of Orange County that students came in all the way from San Juan Capistrano to attend. Those interested in Fullerton’s past will find learning about our local history much easier with this new and larger history room conveniently located on the main floor.

In the hallway of the new conference center section of the library, Bridget Demyers and her fiancé had been reading the informative note cards in the display case. She was delighted to learn how the library started out so small and then expanded and expanded and expanded! “Now look where we are!” she marveled. She thought it was important for kids today who have so much technology to have this place to come and look at books. About the bookstore, Bridget said, “I love this bookstore! I could stay all day long!”

In the bookstore Ryan McTigue who had just made a purchase exclaimed, “When I looked around the bookstore, I found a lot of good books! And Harry Potter ones too!”

His mother reported that this fifth grader is up until one o’clock in the morning reading. The library or its bookstore is sure to see much more of this super reader and his family.

Tourist, Faiza Omer had been vacationing in Orange County and staying in a Fullerton hotel. After spending yesterday at Disneyland, she and her husband and young son were happy to have come upon our grand opening. She found touring Fullerton’s library a pleasant way to spend their last day before heading back to Arizona.

This picture shows an example of the great new signage the library has. Through the doorway of the bookstore can be seen a ladder recently used by the Swinerton Builders who were still on campus taking care of little details like adjusting the air conditioning, making sure everything was just right.

Reference librarian, Coleen Wakai, sitting at the new information desk, like all who serve the public at FPL, was ready and willing to assist library visitors with their information needs. The background of the picture demonstrates the southern exposure of the library’s main room. Visitors to the library will delight in this bright new surrounding. The new furniture is quite comfortable and there are plenty of new computers with ample space around them. Laptop users will find lots of desktop space to work on.
The print center looks top notch!

If you have not yet visited the newly renovated and expanded library you really should. You certainly will be most pleasantly surprised with its beautiful new looks, spaciousness and convenience. The new shelves are not full yet; allowing for plenty of room for collection growth.

Library director, Maureen Gebelein and the other managers should be congratulated for planning and overseeing all the aspects involved in the library’s expansion and renovation as well as the details in the technology improvements. Each and every one of the regular library employees and especially the pages, who worked so very hard doing their regular work while constantly running into the new library for patron requested books, are all deserving of accolades. With this newly opened main library and its  dedicated staff  the City of Fullerton is well served.

Come rediscover and reconnect at the revised edition of the Fullerton Public Library. I write  as an observant off-duty children’s service librarian and a member of the board of the Friends of the Library.

Martha Leonard