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ECORSE - The Ecorse Public Library held its Grand Reopening event on March 20 after having been closed for roughly three years. Initially, the library closed due to the COVID pandemic, offering only curbside book pick up, but eventually the city decided that funding received from government grants would be used to renovate and update the library, which was built in 1948. Assistant Library Director Alice Howard says once the renovations began, new projects came to light as workers discovered just how much work needed to be done on the 75-year old structure. "There was a lack of knowledge at just how damaged some of the building was to begin with. There were plumbing issues, there were roof leaks, there was mold and asbestos, and a lot of things that had to be rectified that they didn't anticipate. It was that they would complete one task only to find three more. It did take longer than people anticipated but we're really thrilled with how it's turned out," she says.

Updates to the library include roof repairs, new plumbing and updated restrooms, fresh paint, new carpeting and furniture, upgraded electrical system, new mobile book shelving units, updated computers, and a new front vestibule. Library Director Melissa Adkins says the library's book collection has been updated as well, with much of the library's decades-old collection either sustaining water damage from the leaky roof or declared to be outdated. "It was heavily weeded, which means getting rid of old, damaged, inaccurate, out-of-date materials," she says of the library's book collection. "It's a really important part of what librarian do because your building is only so big so you want to have the best things that people actually want to check out and use." She adds that updating library materials will be an ongoing task now that the library is open to the public once again.

In addition to books and magazines, the library also has a collection of board games, toys, and even a Care Closet which holds personal use items that anyone who is in need of items such as toothpaste or shampoo can access for free. Free COVID test kits are available at the library also, along with informative brochures and literature courtesy of the offices of local government and elected officials, and numerous non-profit organizations. Adkins says that because the city's new bike lanes run in front of the library, a bike repair kit will be free to use at the library should anyone be dealing with a flat tire or other issue while riding. Services available at the library include printing and copying, fax service, scanning of documents, and of course, internet and Wi-Fi. "Just a lot of things that help support and provide the community with things other than books, we offer a lot more than that," she says.

Library staff are in the process of developing programs and classes for all ages, particularly a summer reading program for youth. Current hours for the Ecorse Public Library are Tuesday and Thursday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Wednesday noon to 7 p.m., and Saturday noon to 5 p.m. The library is closed on Monday and Friday, and Adkins says hours are likely to change along with the seasons. She encourages everyone to stop by for a visit and see the newly renovated library and all it has to offer. "It is what a modern library is, it's a community space. Everybody is welcome, it's a safe place. You can come in and sit in a chair and read from open to close and that's fine. Even if you're not a reader and maybe you need a place to study or you need access to a computer, or you want to look at a magazine, we have other things, we're not just books anymore," she says. "We have a wonderful city, a wonderful community, and a wonderful staff. We're very proud of our library and very proud to be part of the Ecorse community."

The Ecorse Public Library is located at 4184 West Jefferson Ave. and can be reached at 313-389-2030. See their website at https://ecorse.lib.mi.us/ or their Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/ecorsepubliclibrary/.