Future Library 'Taking Shape'

Article Date: August 27, 2007

By Suzanne Sproul, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin

Fontana's new Lewis Library and Technology Center is taking shape, making the dream more of a reality.

Members of the city and its Fontana Library Foundation board braved recent 102-degree temperatures to tour the Sierra Avenue facility. Despite the heat, they walked through the site, now under construction. Many stopped to take photos so they could compare the "before" and "after" views of this center.

One of those snapping photos on her cell phone was library foundation board member Helen Trevizo.

"It's neat to be able to see the building now and how it is taking shape, and then to see it all when it's done. This is going to to be a wonderful gathering place that will bring people together," she said.

And to help tour participants further envision what exciting things are in store for the center, Ray Bragg, director of redevelopment and special projects, provided everyone with a photo and informational packet. Participants were able to walk through the facility and flip to the artist renderings of what it will look like when complete.

Not surprisingly, everyone was impressed.

The 93,000-square-foot building will house a collection of more than 142,000 items, reading areas, a coffee bar and homework clubs. There will be 203 public-use computers set up, including 25 Spanish language ones. Career and literacy centers will be provided. A 330-seat auditorium will invite the public to come to relax and learn together. And a children's library will feature laser walls, a video projection wall, a children's playhouse and moveable puppet theater, all allowing for a great place to captivate young imaginations.

"This is going to be simply extraordinary," said Bill Paringer, library board member who also works with Kaiser Permanente's hospital library. "There's a word for this in the industry. It's called space. And this center will not just be a repository of books and collections, but a place designed with those who will use it in mind."

Bragg called the center the biggest thing that has happened to Fontana in a long time. "And even under construction, people want to see it," he said before the tour began.

Construction at the Lewis Library and Technology Center, a San Bernardino County branch library, began Dec. 5 and a grand opening is planned for April 2008. On the day of the tour, Aug. 17, more than 130 workers were on site.

The center has all the latest in library technology, but will present it to the community in an individual-friendly environment.

At one stop along the tour, Bragg explained that western-facing windows on the second floor of the facility will be built with artistic know-how that will bathe that floor and ultimately the downstairs Grand Hall with rainbows.

And the pot of gold is in Fontana's future too.

Kathleen Fariss is the development director for the center. She said supporters are thrilled with the community's outpouring of enthusiasm for the project and continue to welcome its help. The project still needs $5 million to reach its goal, but the building is taking hsape and will provide a place for all individuals to have equal access to education.

Other members of the Fontana Library Foundation include George Ventura, director and a teacher at West Randall Elemen tary School; Larry Meyer, foundation director and director of the law library of San Bernardino County; and Cyndy Hernandez, director, Kaiser High School graduate and USC student.

Ray Bragg, right, shows members of the Fontana Library Foundation some of what the future holds at the Lewis Library and Technology Center during a recent tour of the construction site.