Papillion awaits new furniture to mark library upgrades

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PAPILLION, Neb. (AP) — A nook for civic engagement and new paint, floors and lights are part of the upgrades at the public library in the Omaha suburb of Papillion.

Work on the $500,000 project ended in late May, but some furniture has yet to arrive. After it does, Sump Memorial Library will host a 20th birthday celebration and show off the improvements.

Library director Becky Sims told the Omaha World-Herald (http://bit.ly/2a61TqB ) that there was concern when she took over a year ago that the library was running out of space. She said it just needed to be better used.

A teen reading room has been created, children's programming space has been shifted and the computer lab has been moved. Closets were added to meeting rooms for storing chairs and supplies, and the director's office has been moved to the old staff conference room.

The new children's space features tile flooring, a craft sink and toys.

"It's pretty cool," said Ethan Arch, who comes to the library weekly with his mom, Tara, and three siblings. "I like the floor. I like how they organized the shelves."

The programming area used to be in the atrium, which was too loud, Sims said.

The idea for the civil engagement nook came from a 2012 residents' survey that suggested that Papillion residents were lacking in civic engagement. In the new, users will be able to sip hot drinks, browse public documents or watch recordings of City Council meetings, the state Legislature or C-SPAN.

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Information from: Omaha World-Herald, http://www.omaha.com