The names of donors to the new Mendenhall Valley Public Library are engraved on bricks. (Photo by Matt Miller/KTOO)
The entry to the new Mendenhall Valley Public Library. (Photo by Matt Miller/KTOO)
The new Mendenhall Valley Public Library. (Photo by Matt Miller/KTOO)
The names of donors to the new Mendenhall Valley Public Library are engraved on bricks. (Photo by Matt Miller/KTOO)
The new Mendenhall Valley Public Library. (Photo by Matt Miller/KTOO)
The main entry features bronze sculptures by Dan DeRoux. (Photo by Matt Miller/KTOO)
The main entry features bronze sculptures of Eagle and Raven bibliophiles by Dan DeRoux. (Photo by Matt Miller/KTOO)
Bike rack and repair station at the new Mendenhall Valley Public Library. (Photo by Matt Miller/KTOO)
An electric vehicle charging station at the new Mendenhall Valley Public Library. (Photo by Matt Miller/KTOO)
Outdoor seating at the new Mendenhall Valley Public Library. (Photo by Matt Miller/KTOO)
Book drop-off at the new library. (Photo by Matt Miller/KTOO)
Notice display board is located in the entrance of the new Mendenhall Valley Public Library. (Photo by Matt Miller/KTOO)
Meeting room at the entrance of the new Mendenhall Valley Public Library. (Photo by Matt Miller/KTOO)
Mechanical room in the new Mendenhall Valley Public Library features a ground source heat pump system. (Photo by Matt Miller/KTOO)
Ground source heat pumps are connected to eight, 300 foot wells located under the parking lot at the new Mendenhall Valley Public Library. (Photo by Matt Miller/KTOO)
Ground source heat pump system uses a mixture of water and glycol to heat the main slab of the new library. (Photo by Matt Miller/KTOO)
Piping in the mechanical room in the new Mendenhall Valley Public Library. (Photo by Matt Miller/KTOO)
For now, opening hours will be the same as they were at the old location: 10-8 Monday through Thursday, 10-7 Friday, 10-6 Saturday, and 12-6 Sunday. (Photo by Matt Miller/KTOO)
Serpentine book display feature new arrivals at the new Mendenhall Valley Public Library. (Photo by Matt Miller/KTOO)
... And you can sit while you peruse them. (Photo by Matt Miller/KTOO)
Work continues at the new Mendenhall Valley Public Library. (Photo by Matt Miller/KTOO)
Public catalog computers are located at the left. Display cases at the new Mendenhall Valley Public Library will be stocked by the Juneau-Douglas City Museum. (Photo by Matt Miller/KTOO)
Sadie Frances Curtis, 5, and Q Curtis, 8, wheel in a cart of 119 books they checked out from the old Mendenhall Mall Library just before it closed. Along with their mom Linda Curtis, they were deemed Checkout Champions as patrons who helped with moving books from the old library. (Photo by Matt Miller/KTOO)
Behind the circulation desk at the new Mendenhall Valley Public Library. (Photo by Matt Miller/KTOO)
Beth Weigel checks in returned books at the new Mendenhall Valley Public Library. (Photo by Matt Miller/KTOO)
A self-checkout terminal is located between the public access computer section and circulation desk. (Photo by Matt Miller/KTOO)
Public access computer terminals at the new Mendenhall Valley Public Library. (Photo by Matt Miller/KTOO)
Teen section at the new Mendenhall Valley Public Library is for teenagers only and features a gaming station. (Photo by Matt Miller/KTOO)
The teen section has a view of the main portion of the library. (Photo by Matt Miller/KTOO)
The teen section at the new Mendenhall Valley Public Library. (Photo by Matt Miller/KTOO)
These tables with power outlets will soon have focused lighting. Landscaping is still in progress. (Photo by Matt Miller/KTOO)
Angled book shelves will make it easier to find books on the bottom. (Photo by Matt Miller/KTOO)
Diffuse air vents are located behind the white panels at the end of some book shelves at the new Mendenhall Valley Public Library. (Photo by Matt Miller/KTOO)
Glass and wood dominate the interior of the new Mendenhall Valley Public Library. (Photo by Matt Miller/KTOO)
Most adults will be able to see over the book shelves at the new Mendenhall Valley Public Library . (Photo by Matt Miller/KTOO)
Quiet area is located at the far eastern end of the building. (Photo by Matt Miller/KTOO)
Wood strip ceiling is backed by acoustic deadening black felt. (Photo by Matt Miller/KTOO)
The new Mendenhall Valley Public Library features a wood ceiling. (Photo by Matt Miller/KTOO)
The wood ceiling at the new Mendenhall Valley Public Library is sloped to distribute light and dampen sound. (Photo by Matt Miller/KTOO)
Finishing touches are in progress on the fireplace hearth located in the quiet section of the library. (Photo by Matt Miller/KTOO)
One of four study rooms at the new Mendenhall Valley Public Library. (Photo by Matt Miller/KTOO)
The periodical section features a window alcove for seating (Photo by Matt Miller/KTOO)
A conference room at the new Mendenhall Valley Public Library. (Photo by Matt Miller/KTOO)
Biblioswans designed and constructed by artist Dan DeRoux at the new Mendenhall Valley Public Library. (Photo by Matt Miller/KTOO)
The swans are lifesize. (Photo by Matt Miller/KTOO)
Another view of the swans at the new Mendenhall Valley Public Library. (Photo by Matt Miller/KTOO)
The swans are a One Percent for Art commission for the new Mendenhall Valley Public Library. (Photo by Matt Miller/KTOO)
The swans are flying in formation heading north. (Photo by Matt Miller/KTOO)
Aurora Projekt artwork dots the walls of the children's section and surround the stage for story time. (Photo by Matt Miller/KTOO)
Kids' chairs feature animals commonly found in Southeast Alaska. (Photo by Matt Miller/KTOO)
Q Curtis, 8, and Sadie Frances Curtis, 5, enjoy the new children's reading nooks. (Photo by Matt Miller/KTOO)
Aurora Projekt art is featured at the new Mendenhall Valley Public Library. (Photo by Matt Miller/KTOO)
Q Curtis, 8, and Sadie Frances Curtis, 5, enjoy the new children's reading nooks. (Photo by Matt Miller/KTOO)
A back office for book processing. (Photo by Matt Miller/KTOO)
A back office for book processing. (Photo by Matt Miller/KTOO)
Take a virtual tour of the new Mendenhall Valley Public Library (about 13 minutes) conducted by library program coordinator Beth Weigel. Start the audio file below and click through the slideshow above:
Juneau book lovers can check out the new Mendenhall Valley Public Library in Dimond Park — and check out more books — after its soft opening Monday, Oct. 5. For more than 30 years, the old library was located in the Mendenhall Mall.
The new 24,000 square foot structure — almost twice as much space as its former location — is open and inviting with natural light streaming through exterior and interior glass that reflects off the wood ceiling.
The $14 million project was largely paid for by city sales tax proceeds, a state grant and a contribution of more than $1 million from Friends of the Juneau Public Libraries. The organization raised most of the funds from used book sales at their Amazing Bookstore in the Airport Mall.
A formal grand opening ceremony for the Mendenhall Valley Public Library is planned for November 7.
Sign up for The Signal
Top Alaska stories delivered to your inbox every week
Close
Update notification options
Subscribe to notifications
Subscribe
Get notifications about news related to the topics you care about. You can unsubscribe anytime.
