By Eileen Buckley
Buffalo, NY – The Buffalo and Erie County Public Library held a ribbon cutting ceremony Wednesday at the central branch downtown to open the renovated popular materials department.
Community Relations Director Ami Patrick says the newly renovated department features fiction books, DVD's and audio books. But Patrick says considering the ongoing struggles to keep some of the area's library branches open, it is a bitter sweet celebration.
Patrick reminds the public that this project was in the works well before the county's fiscal melt down.
"The project was started many years ago. The majority was done with private funds," Patrick said. "It is a bitter sweet time. We're here to celebrate this opening, but at the same time, we are urging the county to come forward with our $21.7 million allocation so that we can continue to provide quality service."
The newly renovated area is set up to capture the ambience and comfort of a large chain bookstore. In addition, the "Ring of Knowledge" display has also been remodeled in an attempt to attract new audiences, speakers and events.