header image

[Sign Up Now] to Receive Our FREE Daily SCVTV-SCVNews Digest by E-Mail

Inside
Weather


 
Calendar
Today in
S.C.V. History
March 28
1934 - Bouquet Canyon Reservoir, replacement for ill-fated St. Francis Dam & reservoir, begins to fill with water [story]
Bouquet Reservoir


| Wednesday, Sep 26, 2012

City Librarian Ed Kieczykowski (left) addresses local educators Monday at the new library.

They’ve driven past the site for months, watching and waiting for the day they could wander through the stacks.

This last weekend, the doors to the new Old Town Newhall Library opened for a gala reception, followed by an afterschool gathering for educators in the SCV Monday. On Saturday, the doors will open after a ribbon-cutting ceremony by the City Council and everyone will be invited to escape into the land of books.

That is, if you want to. The new library features so much more than the printed word, the buzz at the teachers’ reception was that they were looking forward to doing some “hanging out” in the spacious rooms, including a corner fireplace room with couches and comfy chairs.

All the city needs is a coffeehouse nearby and your rainy Saturday afternoon is made.

Stepping through the glass doors, a community room to provide meeting space for local groups beckons. The room’s best feature – a mural of stagecoach drivers barreling across the desert that was saved after its original home in the historic Pardee House was moved to Heritage Junction down the street – beckons, drawing people in to see more art on the walls, which will rotate and change artists periodically.

Former Santa Clarita Councilwoman Laurie Ender (left) takes a tour at Friday’s fundraiser for the Friends of the Library.

The new 30,000 square foot Old Town Newhall Library offers more than 135,000 literary items, 68 public use computers, private study spaces, and meeting rooms. Gamers will be able to play their favorite video games in the lounge, or take advantage of study rooms to get ahead on their homework.

Kids are welcomed to the reading area by a larger-than-life Howdy cowboy mural. Inside the children’s area are reading circle areas and an artist’s interpretation of Beale’s Cut featuring the library’s tower. A centerpiece staircase wall is lined with huge prints of historical pictures, including the first constable’s office, steam engines that chugged through the area, a lone figure standing outside the local saloon, Newhall Hardware, Beale’s Cut and the first Newhall Elementary School.

Members of the Friends of the Santa Clarita Library and library employees were on hand Monday to help familiarize the visitors, who spent a lot of time ooh-ing and aaah-ing over the panoramic views and the huge collection of all sorts of materials, from books to DVDs to video games, magazines, graphic novels, newspapers and music.

Library users will also be able to check out laptop computers, to augment the desktop systems available throughout the library. The Children’s Area is home to computers featuring early literacy software. WiFi is available at all libraries, including the new branch at the corner of Lyons and Newhall Avenues.

A short line formed near the desk where library staff was issuing commemorative library cards with a picture of the new building on the front. Apparently good teachers already have library cards.

The public will be able to enjoy the new library at the Grand Opening at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, when the council will cut the ribbon in front of the building, followed by a street fair with a literary emphasis that will continue until 4 p.m.

“The new Old Town Newhall Library will become a central part of our City offering a variety of resources for residents of all ages,” said Ferry.  “The library will provide a range of educational and cultural activities, social programs and free services that will engage all community members.”

The street fair will features 25 booths featuring authors, games, activities, music, giveaways, and food trucks.  Activities will include two stages with readings from authors including children’s books, western historical books and cookbooks, as well as tours of the Walk of Western Stars with information on the various western legends, tables to play word games, and tours of Old Town Newhall.

Local artist Tyzbir Idelle will bring a temporary public art sculpture to the event, a chair called “For the Love Of Books,” a seven-foot high reading chair made from cooks and a mobile with current and future reading options as well as those for low vision readers. Tyzbir is looking for readers to volunteer and take 15-minute shifts, reading aloud from their favorite book. She is looking for both adults and children to be readers. E-mail her at idellet@mac.com.

Local businesses joining the celebration include: Brave New World, OutWest, Whole Foods, Chick-fil-A, Ice Station Valencia, Barnes & Noble, Costco, OTNA, Canyon Theatre Guild, Repertory East Playhouse, and Art Tree among others.

Comment On This Story
COMMENT POLICY: We welcome comments from individuals and businesses. All comments are moderated. Comments are subject to rejection if they are vulgar, combative, or in poor taste.
REAL NAMES ONLY: All posters must use their real individual or business name. This applies equally to Twitter account holders who use a nickname.

1 Comment

  1. KurtsCash says:

    Yeah the Stop Guac n Roll truck will be there!!!!

Leave a Comment


LATEST CITY HEADLINES
Wednesday, Mar 27, 2024
Raise your heart rate while raising funds for the Santa Clarita Sister Cities Dollars-for-Desks campaign to provide school desks for students in Sariaya, Santa Clarita's Sister City in the Philippines.
Wednesday, Mar 27, 2024
The Sunburst track was constructed in 1887 by the Southern Pacific Railroad and was a part of the main line running between San Francisco and Los Angeles.
Tuesday, Mar 26, 2024
The first Music Jam Session at The MAIN was held on Thursday, Feb. 22 and was a hit. Come out and join in for the next one on Thursday, March 28 7 p.m.-9 p.m.
Tuesday, Mar 26, 2024
Residents are invited to join members of the Santa Clarita City Council for a special ribbon-cutting ceremony to celebrate the addition of Santa Clarita's 38th park, Skyline Ranch Park, 18355 Skyline Ranch Road, Santa Clarita, CA 91351, to the Santa Clarita parks system on Saturday, April 6, at 10 a.m.
Monday, Mar 25, 2024
The sun is shining and adventure is just around the corner in Santa Clarita. Send your kids to learn all about the outdoors, nature and preservation through the city of Santa Clarita Youth Outdoors Adventures Program.

Keep Up With Our Facebook
Latest Additions to SCVNews.com
1934 - Bouquet Canyon Reservoir, replacement for ill-fated St. Francis Dam & reservoir, begins to fill with water [story]
Bouquet Reservoir
The California Department of Public Health launched the “Never a Bother” campaign, a youth suicide prevention public awareness and outreach campaign for youth, young adults, and their parents, caregivers, and allies.
California Launches New Youth Suicide Prevention Campaign
The Santa Clarita Master Chorale invites the community to "Let the Sunshine In," a delightful evening of food, wine and song at the annual Cabaret & Cabernet fundraising benefit.
April 20: Santa Clarita Master Chorale’s Cabaret, Cabernet Fundraiser
The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health cautions residents who are planning to visit the below Los Angeles County beaches to avoid swimming, surfing, and playing in ocean waters:
March 27 Ocean Water Warning
As an integral ingredient necessary to help the Santa Clarita Valley to flourish, feedback from the business community is the secret sauce for achieving great things.
SCVEDEC Asks For the Business Community’s Opinion on Santa Clarita
Raise your heart rate while raising funds for the Santa Clarita Sister Cities Dollars-for-Desks campaign to provide school desks for students in Sariaya, Santa Clarita's Sister City in the Philippines.
April 13: Sister Cities Zumba-thon Fundraiser
Remo, Inc. is is the world's leading manufacturer and developer of synthetic drumheads and shells. They’ve been in business for 60 years
SCVEDC Company Spotlight: Drumming Up Big Business with Remo, Inc.
California State Assemblywoman Pilar Schiavo (D-Chatsworth) and Assemblyman James Ramos (D-Highland) have introduced AB 3074 the "School or athletic team names: California Racial Mascots Act."
Schiavo Introduces Bill to Prohibit ‘Derogatory’ School Mascot Names
Los Angeles County’s Justice, Care and Opportunities Department  in collaboration with Local Initiatives Support Corporation Los Angeles is proud to announce the 2nd Annual Pitch Competition for the cohorts of JCOD's Incubation Academy.
March 28: JCOD Incubation Academy Helps Grassroots Non-Profits For the Second Year
Children’s Bureau is seeking foster families and now offers two virtual ways for individuals and/or couples to learn how to help children in foster care while reunifying with birth families or how to provide legal permanency by adoption.
April 18: Children’s Bureau Hosts Virtual Orientation
The Sunburst track was constructed in 1887 by the Southern Pacific Railroad and was a part of the main line running between San Francisco and Los Angeles.
Enjoy Spring With a Ride On The Sunburst Track
California State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond hosted a Personal Finance Summit today where he announced his support for Assembly Bill 2927 (McCarty), legislation that would require a personal finance education course for California high school graduation.
State Superintendent Announces Support for Personal Finance Graduation Requirement
1847 - Probable birth date of Pico Canyon oil driller Charles Alexander Mentry [story]
C.A. Mentry
The first Music Jam Session at The MAIN was held on Thursday, Feb. 22 and was a hit. Come out and join in for the next one on Thursday, March 28 7 p.m.-9 p.m.
March 28: The MAIN to Host Musicians’ Jam Session
Los Angeles County Inspector General Max Huntsman of the Office of Inspector General has issued a report entitled "Tenth Report Back on Implementing Body-Worn Cameras in Los Angeles County."
Office of Inspector General Issues Latest Report on LASD Body Cams
College of the Canyons women's tennis played to a convincing 7-2 conference win over Ventura College on Moica to strengthen its potential playoff resume.
Canyons Closes Out Ventura 7-2 in Final Home Match
Join the Santa Clarita Valley Chamber of Commerce with the Latino Business Alliance at the Cinco de Mayo Networking Celebration on Tuesday, May 7.
May 7: Latino Business Alliance Cinco de Mayo Celebration
The Los Angeles County Department of Animal Care and Control is hosting March Meowness promotion where all cat adoptions are just $15 from now until April 9.
Adopt a Cat During March Meowness at Castaic Animal Center
California State University, Northridge is partnering with the Fernandeño Tataviam Band of Mission Indians and the Tataviam Land Conservancy to battle the impact of climate change in disadvantaged communities throughout the San Fernando Valley by establishing “urban forests.”
CSUN Partners with Fernandeño Tataviam Band to Build Urban Forests
Join the Santa Clarita Artists Association on Monday, April 15, 6:30-8:30 p.m. at Barnes and Noble, 23630 Valencia Blvd., Valencia, CA 91355, for the SCAA monthly meeting and guest demonstrator.
April 15: SCAA Presents Debbie Abshear Watercolor Demo
Residents are invited to join members of the Santa Clarita City Council for a special ribbon-cutting ceremony to celebrate the addition of Santa Clarita's 38th park, Skyline Ranch Park, 18355 Skyline Ranch Road, Santa Clarita, CA 91351, to the Santa Clarita parks system on Saturday, April 6, at 10 a.m.
April 6: Grand Opening for Santa Clarita’s 38th Park
The Santa Clarita Valley Senior Center is preparing for the annual fundraising event, Celebrity Waiter, with the theme “California Dreamin’” on Saturday, April 27 at Bella Vida, 27180 Golden Valley Road, Santa Clarita, CA 91351.
Table Sponsorships Still Available for Celebrity Waiter Dinner
Springtime in Santa Clarita brings not only vibrant blooms and opportunities to embrace the outdoors with warmer weather, but also an array of free, family-friendly events and this Saturday is no exception.
Ken Striplin | A Fun, Festive, Egg-Filled Day
SCVNews.com