Following an 18-month building process, the all-new West Las Vegas Library opens to the public on Tuesday, Dec. 9. Built from the ground up, the nearly 42,000-square-foot facility more than doubles the size of the previous version, giving the surrounding community an invaluable resource for navigating a constantly evolving world.
🤩 A Strong First Impression
Occupying a parcel of more than five acres, the library is a sleek, modern structure with lots of natural light, outdoor spaces, and a towering foyer with a lobby designed as a place for people to gather and hang out. (Yes, power outlets are everywhere.) The east-facing front entrance was inspired by Southern-style porches — a communal space with plenty of shade from the daytime sun and benches that resemble open books (#cute).
🖥️ High-End Technology
An innovation lab is dedicated to the latest tech, teaching guests about laser cutters, 3D printers, and how to code. Have boxes of old VHS tapes lying around? The digital memory preservation lab can transfer that footage to a thumb drive and cure your hoarding habits. Updated computer stations are available throughout the library.
🎸 Art and Entertainment
The multimedia center is especially impressive, allowing guests to record and mix music (with instruments on standby) or produce a podcast. There’s even a room with a wraparound green screen for aspiring filmmakers to experiment with chroma key special effects. An art gallery in the main lobby showcases works by local artists.
📚 And … Of Course, Books
The main downstairs area is kids’ stuff, featuring special areas dedicated to teens and tweens (with a gaming console ready to play on a first-come, first-serve basis). Lunchtime meals are provided by Three Square Food Bank. The upstairs level is for adults. A corner room for quiet reading and studying has a clear view of Downtown casinos, making for an especially cool backdrop after dark.
👀 Looking Back, Looking Forward
The new library represents a renewed commitment to revitalizing the Historic Westside, a community with a long-established African-American legacy. Historical figures and community heroes are highlighted throughout the venue with a timeline mural offering an extensive look at how local and national news events often collide.
See what the West Side Library is all about with a daylong opening celebration of holiday activities on Dec. 9., including a ballet suite at 11:30 a.m., karaoke at 3 p.m., networking mixer at 5 p.m. and the music of Chimini Yoka at 6:30 p.m.
