LIBRARIES ARE AN IMAGINATION WONDERLAND.

The books, movies, music, computers and information inside take you on a journey of exploration to different countries, centuries and even worlds. Libraries are needed now more than ever as resources, gathering places — where dreams come true.

Reimagine Kanawha County’s downtown library, fully renovated with 20,000 new square feet of space, beautifully sculpted glass walls reaching to the sky, ready to serve our region for decades to come.

A new main library building will allow Kanawha County’s library system to provide more efficient services to its nearly 117,000 card holders.

• 80,000 square feet of space: 60,000 square feet fully renovated and 20,000 square feet of expanded space.

• Two new additions: (1) A three-story addition to what is now the rear of the library that will serve as the new entrance to the building, and (2) A two-story addition utilizing space along an alley between the library and the KB&T building. Both additions will create approximately 20,000 new square feet of space.

• A proposed third floor covered walkway above Quarrier Street that will take library patrons from the Summers Street Parking Garage to the library.

• 10,000 square feet of children’s activity space, more than double the current size, for collections, story time, a craft room, and other activities.

• More public space for the community, including much needed and often-requested reading areas, study rooms and flexible meeting space for groups of 2 to 200.

By renovating and expanding its century-old space, the Kanawha County Public Library will revive an iconic landmark in downtown Charleston and bring an exciting, fresh, new space to serve as the community’s gathering place.