For many, the West Regional Library is not just a location to borrow books but a space to focus on studies, access educational resources and even find employment. However, it has not been renovated since 2006. Starting on Jan. 5, 2025, it will undergo construction through fall 2025.
Regional Library Manager Christina Adams explained that the feedback of library patrons was taken into extensive consideration when designing changes. Feedback and comments on an annual customer satisfaction survey were the primary source of input.
“We do a customer satisfaction survey every year, and comments made by our patrons were taken into consideration when we decided to do some of the, some of the changes to West Regional area,” she said. “We very much took the thoughts and opinions of our community…all of that was integrated into the new floor plan.”
Although the actual structure of the building will remain the same, she believes the new rearrangements and additions will allow the West Regional Library – one branch of the Wake County Public Libraries – to better serve the needs of a growing and dynamic community.
Among these changes include sustainability implementations. “What’s going to happen is we’re going to get our lighting updated. Before we have fluorescent lights down and they’re going to be all switched over to LEDs, which are more energy efficient,” said Regional Library Manager Christina Adams.
Other interior changes consist of refurbishments for the nearly two-decade-old facility. New carpets, paint jobs, HVAC systems and security cameras will also be added. “Quite a few things are going to be done. We are getting new shelving. I’m trying to think of what else is being done, some new furniture. Some of our furniture is going to be recovered, but we’re getting a lot of new furniture.”
Not all changes will be solely for aesthetic or organizational reasons. Changes in the structure of the Service Desk will allow visitors to receive more personalized attention in a timely manner, without straining the staff.
“We’re going to go down from six Service Desk to three. We’ll have a centralized customer service desk and then a youth service desk and an adult services desk midway down each side,” added Adams.
Adams’ favorite renovation is the non-stinging pollinator gardens that are intended to brighten the outdoors area, where children and their parents can often be seen enjoying the outdoor facilities.
Visitors are recommended to visit other facilities nearby, such as Morrisville Community Library or Cary Regional Library, both of which are 3.3 and 6.4 miles away, respectively.
The West Regional Library has initiated a PR campaign to inform patrons of the incoming closure through news outlets, newspapers and emails. Staff members have also joined in efforts to minimize disruption to regular users through informational flyers and several emails.
As the first changes are initiated, the library’s current programming has moved to local facilities. For instance, adult book clubs have prepared for the close by shifting to Eva Perry Regional Library.
Adams has hopes for reopening in August or September 2025, even though a later date is a possibility. “I’m hoping for August or September, we’ll reopen. But, you know, they said the fall of 2025, and it’s not technically fall until September 21.”
