A new public library in Wright City is set to open Monday.Construction on the new branch of the Scenic Regional Library District began last year next to Wright City West Elementary School on Wildcat Drive. The 7,800-square-foot location will offer 16,000 books and electronic media items, internet access, and space for activities and study sessions, according to library district Director Steve Campbell.“The finishes and interior of the branch look amazing, even better than we had hoped,” Campbell commented. “We’ve hired some great staff for the branch. They’ve been trained and are eager to begin working with the public and the community.”However, Campbell said the library won’t have all of its furniture for several weeks due to issues with the manufacturers, which he said was disappointing.On the whole, he said the community and the Wright City R-II School District have been extremely supportive of the project.A formal grand opening celebration for the Wright City branch is being planned for mid-June.Other amenities at the library will include a coffee bar, fireplace, shaded outdoor patios with seating, public computers, and video games for teens.“We are beyond thrilled, we’re very excited about (the library) coming to Wright City,” said Mayor Dan Rowden. “We’re very thankful the library district had the vision to place that here, especially adjacent to the school.”Rowden said the library will have a positive impact on drawing new people to the community. It’s one of several amenities he said city leaders have been looking for to make Wright City more attractive for new homes and new businesses.The Wright City branch is one of several new constructions and renovations in a major expansion of the Scenic Regional Library District’s offerings. The $21 million building project was made possible by a voter-approved tax increase in April 2014.The project will produce six new facilities, including the Wright City branch, and two additions and renovations, including a 3,000-square-foot addition to the Warrenton branch. All the new buildings will open within the next year. Overall, the total square footage of the library system’s branches will double in size.The Wright City branch will be the library system’s ninth branch in Warren, Franklin and Gasconade counties. The Warrenton branch addition is expected to be complete in early August.

The newly constructed Wright City branch of Scenic Regional Library is set to open to the public this Monday, May 21.

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