New Library Wins Raves

  • Between 300-400 people streamed into the new Frazier Park Library throughout the day it opened, Saturday, Oct. 22. The consensus: &quotIt’s beautiful!"

    Between 300-400 people streamed into the new Frazier Park Library throughout the day it opened, Saturday, Oct. 22. The consensus: "It’s beautiful!"

By Patric Hedlund
With 98 new library cards issued and 747 items checked out on the day it opened, it was clear Saturday, Oct. 22 that the shiny, new library in Frazier Park will be doing a booming business to meet the information and recreation needs of Mountain Community residents.

Despite some sniping from reporters and letter writers in Bakersfield media questioning such a nice library being built in the Mountain Communities, it was a day of heartfelt celebration for both community and officials. The ribbon was cut by District 4 Supervisor Ray Watson, who never wavered in his public support for building the library here, even when poor county oversight during parking lot grading resulted in a contractor’s error that destroyed two ancient oak trees (about 300-400 years old) that the county had promised would be protected during construction.

Public outrage was fierce then, but pride in the new building was equally intense Saturday as 400 members of the public streamed through the new building. They marveled at the photo murals of wildflowers and oak trees, the stunning sculpture of a golden eagle, leaded glass windows, delightful children’s library and a Teen Scene section in the 10,000 sq. ft. facility that features a public meeting hall with a digital theater and a full kitchen, private tutoring rooms and 50 computers.

Director of Kern County Libraries Diane Duquette, who lives in Pine Mountain, said 15,000 new books have been acquired for this branch.

This is part of the October 28, 2011 online edition of The Mountain Enterprise.

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