It was a day that has been on hold for months — the opening of the new downtown library.
The first opening was scheduled for way back in March. Remember March? We were going to send kids home from school the week before spring break, and that two-week stretch would get us past this coronavirus thing. Little did we know.
But in fits and starts, life went on, and little by little, progress was made on the whole library system in the county. But trying to open the doors has been difficult to impossible. Because of the pandemic, equipment and furnishings have been in short supply.
Other openings had been put on the calendar, only to see those dates come and go, with the main problem being the fear of spreading the coronavirus. Finally, though, the doors did open.
It wasn’t the type of grand event that anyone had envisioned. No ribbon-cutting. No speeches. No gathering of supporters. No fancy tours or receptions. No fanfare of any kind.
Independent reporting for Pine Bluff & Jefferson County since 1879.
Consequently, only a few people showed up on day one. That was fine with the staff, which was more interested in keeping themselves and visitors safe than entertaining a big crowd.
The safety protocols put in place are nothing unusual in this day. But if you are used to seeing people wearing masks inappropriately out in public, the library isn’t going to let that slide. That’s good to hear, seeing as how masks are one of the few defenses we have against the pandemic, which can leave some people untouched and kill or maim others.
Despite all of the problems of getting the library built and opened, its entry into the downtown fabric is another indication that Pine Bluff is fighting back.
There is nothing magical about this new structure.
A dedicated group of individuals studied the lack of adequate library services in Pine Bluff and elsewhere and proposed two bond issues to voters. Both were passed.
Now there’s a new flagship library, and all of the other libraries in the county have been renovated or remodeled.
For voters to recognize the need and elect to tax themselves to pay for that need takes vision and it takes optimism for the future. It also sends a message to outsiders that this community cares about where it’s headed.
The library itself is not your father’s or mother’s library, as in it is not just a big building that holds books. Want to record a podcast or a video or your own soundtrack? You can do that at this library. Want to take cooking classes. It’s there. Computer lab? Check. The list of state-of-the-art amenities goes on and on. And it’s all wrapped in a beautiful structure into which light pours from every direction.
We realize that, with any facility that is meant to attract visitors, the library will not be at full speed until the pandemic is brought under control. Still, with masks and social distancing and using common sense, the public can take advantage of much of what the library has to offer now, although there will still be curbside pickup if you’d rather just wait until the danger passes.
Either way, we are happy to see the opening actually happen, and we offer a hearty congratulations to the library board for laying the table for this day and to the voters who put the dinner on it. We will all be partaking of this feast for decades to come thanks to both.