Las Vegas Sun

March 29, 2024

New library opens in Galleria mall

Child-friendly place is anything but quiet

Galleria Library

Mona Shield Payne / Special to the Sun

Abigail Benton, 1 year old, gasps with delight after seeing Winnie the Pooh Saturday during the grand opening of Henderson Libraries’ new branch inside the Galleria at Sunset Mall. Sitting behind her is her mother, Jessica Benton.

Galleria Library Branch

Children listen to The Scarecrow, played by Terri Hacker, read stories Saturday during the grand opening of Henderson Libraries' new branch inside the Galleria at Sunset Mall. Launch slideshow »

No shhhh-ing is allowed at the Henderson Libraries new branch in the Galleria at Sunset mall.

The storefront library, which opened today on the mall’s lower level, is a child-friendly place, branch director Evelyn Walkowicz said.

The largest space in the branch is decorated with 3-foot-high, brightly colored activity centers, and mall librarians plan to provide children’s programs every week.

“It’s a nice spot for parents to stop by if their child gets fussy and calm the child down before heading out again,” Walkowicz said. “Babies make noise. We’re tolerant of that.”

The library drew 92 people within the first hour of opening, which featured balloons, storytimes and chocolate chip cookies with colorful icing, she said.

“We’ve had a lot of people stop by who are not typical library users,” Walkowicz said, noting that 30 new library cards were issued by 11 a.m.

The library, which will carry only 2,000 books, DVDs and other items — about three full bookshelves — will nevertheless provide all of the library services.

Computers will make the entire Henderson Libraries system research materials available and books may be ordered from other branches and returned at the Galleria.

“Our goal is to add convenience,” Walkowicz said.

Hours also will be limited at first to 29 a week, Walkowicz said. The branch will be open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Thursday and Saturday, 1-5 p.m. Monday, 8 a.m.-noon Tuesday and 1-8 p.m. Wednesday. It will be closed Friday and Sunday.

However, the library’s free wireless connection, donated by Cox Communications, will be available whenever the mall is open, Walkowicz said.

The mall management is providing a seating area outside the branch, which is next to the future Kohl’s.

Sheri Costantino, who grew up in Henderson, and her friend Tina Velecheck, of Silverado, watched as five of their six children listened to a story being read by City Manager Mary Kay Peck.

“We’re big into going to the library,” Costantino said. “It’s our favorite place to go with the kids, and it’s free.”

The library in the mall, she said, was a great idea.

Markell Isho, who had stopped by the Galleria with her husband, Danny, and three children, agreed.

“I love that you could kill two birds with one stone,” she said. “It’s something for them to do, and something for me to do.”

Walkowicz said she was warned that the branch could become a baby-sitting service, but she expects that part to evolve a little differently.

“The husbands have been excited about the opportunity to come here and read the paper and use the Wi-Fi while their wives are shopping,” she said. “It’s our little effort to boost the economy.”

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