The new Southgate Branch is located in a leased storefront within a shopping plaza, just five minutes from the former Sandy Valley Branch location. This updated space is designed to support current needs and offers a more efficient layout for both public use and staff operations.
As a full-service branch, Southgate includes dedicated areas for adults, teens, and children, along with a study room and a meeting room. The layout and design were informed by usage patterns observed at other Re|Imagine branches, helping to fine-tune the size of spaces, collections, and technology offerings. In the children’s area, mobile shelving and furniture allow for flexible configurations that support a variety of programs and activities.
Updates to the exterior storefront help clearly identify the branch as a library location. Stark Library expects increased usage at this new site, which serves as an important opportunity to better understand how library services can evolve to meet the needs of the surrounding community.