ORPL Grand Reopening June 20

The Oak Ridge Public Library (ORPL) is proud to announce it will hold the grand reopening of the library's East Wing, which includes the brand-new Children's Room and ADA bathrooms, next month.

These projects were made possible through a combination of funding from the City of Oak Ridge, a Support Grant to Local Governments, and the Friends of Oak Ridge Public Library administering a bequest on behalf of Jerry Kinnamon.

Jefferson Middle School art students created a mural for the Children's Room. The Children's Room was designed by Opening the Book, North America, a woman-owned business specializing in public library design and was installed by local contractor First Place Finish. Barber McMurry Architects, headquartered in Knoxville, designed the bathroom renovations which were realized by Wright Contracting, another local company.

The celebration will take place at ORPL, located at 1401 Oak Ridge Turnpike, on Tuesday, June 20, at 5 pm. The first 150 children to enter the Children's Room will receive a goodie bag.

"The Children's Room is our most heavily used service, and I'm thrilled to have it reopen. I hope that everyone will feel welcome and enjoy the new East Wing," Library Director Julie Forkner said.

More renovations are planned for next year, which will include new powered furniture for the main library as well as new study and computer carrels. Plans for a permanent book sale space for the Friends of the Library and a Library Café are also being considered.

The library staff encourages everyone to come celebrate the reopening of the East Wing. Light refreshments will be served. For more information, follow the library on Facebook and Twitter or give us a call at 865-425-3455.

About Oak Ridge Public Library

Oak Ridge Public Library is located at 1401 Oak Ridge Turnpike. The library serves a community of more than 30,000 and features a Children's Room with special programming as well as an extensive archive facility with materials dating back to the early days of Oak Ridge and the Manhattan Project.