Originally published in The Vidette-Messenger of Porter County on October 23, 1965.
Senior Reading Room At Library Nearing Finish
By ADA CADELL
Antiqued birch paneled walls rising from thick, soft two-tone green carpeting provide a striking, but restful background for the new senior adult reading room nearing completion in the Valparaiso Public library.
In use now, but still lacking certain furnishings, the room on the ground level of the library building offers a quiet, cozy, homey atmosphere for elderly residents of the area who might wish to spend an occasional or regular period engrossed in a book.
For the comfort of readers, occasional chairs upholstered in Burlap-type material, some of warm brown and others in contrasting dark green, are spaced around the room among shelving stained to match the color of the two paneled walls. Remaining walls are painted in a light color to give the room brightness.
Other furnishings for the room besides the easy chairs, which are of a straight-line design with low backs, will include occasional tables to be placed for convenience of readers and what might be termed a conversation piece, a wrought iron table with marble top to stand in one corner.
Decor of the room will be further enhanced with folding shutters on the windows. These and the tables have been ordered and are expected to arrive soon to complete the new library room.
The room also contains, along one wall, a magazine rack with lamp. A door leading to the main entrance of the library is kept closed to muffle or eliminate outside noise.
Recessed ceiling fixtures provide non-glare, even lighting throughout the room. Small lamps placed on occasional tables will offer additional light.
Adding to the home-like appearance with a pleasing affect are decorative hanging lamps suspended from the ceiling to spotlight the entry area in the room.
The staff’s kitchenette also benefited in the remodeling project. Located at the rear of the new senior adult reading room and up several steps, the kitchen has been modernized and fitted with new appliances.
Even before entire completion of the remodeling inside, attention has been turned to the exterior of the library, where parking lot improvement is under way. Preparations are being made for blacktopping the surface of the parking lot as soon as weather permits.
Among hopes for providing more comfort for patrons of the library is air conditioning for the main reading room on the second level.
