St. Louis County Library will open the renovated Natural Bridge Branch on Wednesday, September 14 at 9:00 a.m. as part of the Your Library Renewed campaign. The branch features an after-hours computer lab sponsored by Emerson and a Cardinals-themed children’s area. St. Louis native and “House of Cards” creator Beau Willimon contributed funds to enhance the community meeting room.
The Natural Bridge Branch is located in Normandy at 7606 Natural Bridge Rd.
Construction on the Natural Bridge Branch began in January and is part of a multi-year capital improvement campaign to renovate or replace 19 branches within the Library District. Natural Bridge is the ninth branch to be completed as part of the campaign.
The Natural Bridge Branch is home to the new Emerson Technology Center–an after-hours computer lab. Emerson donated $75,000 to help fund the lab. The Emerson Technology Center contains 26 public computers and will be open during regular library hours and will offer extended hours from 9:00-11:00 p.m. Monday – Thursday and 5:00-7:00 p.m. on Fridays. The after-hours lab is a first for the Library District. Computer use at the Natural Bridge is the highest of all 20 SLCL locations. The lab will be a family friendly environment. Adults can bring their children into the lab; tables and other activities will be available for the kids. A business center with fax, scan and copy capabilities is also available inside the lab. There will be a total of 53 public computers available at the Natural Bridge, the most of any SLCL branch.
“With today’s Internet-dependent, digital world, Emerson is proud to support the Natural Bridge Branch of the library as a place for people in the North County area to access computers,” said Patrick Sly, Emerson Executive Vice President. “The way we gain access to information is fundamentally changing and we look forward to seeing the Emerson Technology Center provide convenient and high quality technology for local adults and their families.”
The children’s area of the branch is sponsored by Cardinals Care and features a mural of the St. Louis skyline as seen from Busch Stadium, along with red hued furniture and carpeting. A wall of windows in the back of the space will be a great spot for story time. Kid-sized shelving, called browsing bins, has been installed and will allow children to more easily select their own books. The space also features special furniture for families to read and do activities together, as well as a family restroom.
The Natural Bridge Branch also includes two community meetings rooms, the larger of which is sponsored by “House of Cards” creator Beau Willimon, a St. Louis native.
Other improvements include a new teen space with bold shades of lime green and navy; three private study rooms; and a quiet reading room. New shelving, furniture and carpeting has also been installed throughout the branch.
Library Director Kristen Sorth said, “The Natural Bridge Branch is a great example of how three great St. Louis organizations–Cardinals Care, Emerson and the Library–are coming together to provide important resources for the community. We also thank Beau Willimon for his generosity.”
The renovated Natural Bridge Branch was designed by Bond Architects. The project’s budget was $3.1 million and was funded by proceeds from a 2012 tax initiative.
Phase One of the Your Library Renewed campaign will be complete by the end of September 2016. Phase Two begins in October when three branches close for construction: Daniel Boone, Bridgeton Trails and Florissant Valley. The timeline is subject to change based on weather conditions and other factors.
More details about the construction projects can be found at www.slcl.org/your-library-renewed.
