1,000 people showed up on renovated Spring Hill Library’s opening day — its first update in 43 years

The makeover at the Spring Hill branch, which opened in 1982, focused on a new 1,000-square-foot children's wing, as well as more seating and updates to the exterior.

The opening of the new Spring Hill Library branch. — Leo Tanney, 7, uses the self checkout system at the recently reopened Spring Hill Library with his mom, Rachel Tanney. The pair said they’re both excited about the new additions, with Rachel Tanney adding that the updated technology is a great benefit. Photo credit Margaret Mellott.

Children and adults alike carried armfuls of books to the self-checkout stations at Spring Hill’s recently renovated library on its opening day earlier this month.

More than 1,000 people came through the new-look Spring Hill Library branch on its opening day last week, June 3, according to Terry Pulliam, Johnson County Library assistant communications manager.

The branch closed last August to add a 1,000-square-foot children’s wing, along with a fresh exterior, several floor-to-ceiling windows, a study room, conference room and additional seating throughout the facility.

Leo Tanney, 7, of Spring Hill, said he was most excited about “the new kids space.”

His mom, Rachel Tanney, agreed.

“The children’s space is so much larger,” she said. “So, this is lovely — to come in and see front-facing books. We didn’t have that before. I think when children have the ability to see the covers and really put their hands on books, that makes it more appealing.”

Spring Hill resident Mandy Harkleroad browses the nonfiction section with her 9-year-old son, Miles. His brothers, 12-year-old twins Leif and Luke Harkleroad, not pictured, also browsed the section. Photo credit Margaret Mellott.

Renovated De Soto branch reopened earlier this year

The Spring Hill branch wasn’t the only Johnson County Library branch to recently see improvements.

The De Soto branch, which reopened in April, also got some needed updates, including exterior updates, additional seating, new furniture, larger windows, a new study room and a new conference room.

The De Soto facility also has a new entrance to the kids’ area, featuring a mural by local illustrator Brad Sneed.

“These communities are growing quickly and deserve libraries with the same great amenities as our larger branches,” John Keogh, Johnson County Library’s regional manager, who oversees both branch locations, said in a press release. “We know the renovations were a long eight months for many of our patrons, and to welcome them back to such joyful, dynamic new spaces means so much to our staff.”

A long time coming for both branches

Neither facility had been updated since they opened in 1982. The combined cost for both projects was about $6.3 million, funded by the library system’s reserves through its current five-year Capital Improvement Plan.

“For us, it (the benefit) is just being able to serve the different communities in Johnson County in a way that works for them,” Pulliam said. “This branch hadn’t seen any renovations in more than 40 years.

“We were able to accomplish a much more efficient layout,” she added. “We were able to upgrade our technology in the space. It’s a lot brighter, more inviting, and it really invites collaboration and connection with the community.”

The Spring Hill Library’s renovations focused on children and families, with the biggest addition being the 1,000-square-foot wing to house children’s books and programming. Photo credit Margaret Mellott.

With the new space in Spring Hill, the library system is also piloting new extended hours for patrons at that facility, an expanded version of a similar service at Lenexa City Center Library.

During the extended hours, patrons who have signed up for the program can access the collection, check out materials, pick up holds and use the computers and printers, even if staff is not on site. The study room and conference room, however, are unavailable during the extended hours.

Tanney, a gifted program educator for Olathe Public Schools, said she’s also looking forward to the additional meeting space, extra seating and extended hours.

“I’m really excited about the extended hours,” Tanney said. “This is where I always pick up my holds from, but sometimes the hours [before] were difficult. I’m also a teacher, so I check out a lot of books … I have missed having such a convenient place to pick up holds.”