By Alan Stolfus, Browse editor
To say that Belt Branch manager Kelly Morris is excited about the new library being built to replace her current work site is an understatement.
“WE ARE SO EXCITED ABOUT WINDOWS AND DAYLIGHT AND GRASS AND TREES!!!!!” was the opening line of an email she sent when asked about her thoughts on the move.
“Having green space around the library means lots more options for programming,” Morris said. “We can have outdoor concerts, gardening programs, water play for littles on the fenced-in back patio, etc. – all things we could NOT do in our current space.”
Library director Michelle Mears also emphasizes the wellness aspects of natural spaces.
“We know that people are happier and healthier when they have a connection to the outdoors,” she said. “The design of our new building was made for the enjoyment of both library users and library staff.”
If you have been looking at the construction camera photos on the library website – it’s under About/Library Building Project – they don’t provide the best view of what is being built.
Outside coming inside
Windows, windows and more windows. The north side of the Riverside Branch will have a curtain wall of 20-foot, 6-inch insulated glass that stretches from the Administration Office on the east side to Books Revisited on the west. The library entrance also will have windows that size.
Twelve-foot windows that run along the south and southeast sides of the library will bring natural light into the library collection, study rooms and a conference room. Windows also will light up the children’s StoryHouse, CreateSpace and Community Room.
The windows are going in now (late August into September) and the roof is finished, said Jon Whaley, JE Dunn Construction superintendent. The beginning of March 2026 is when the site should be turned over to the library.
September brings outside work such as sidewalks, curbing, light pole bases and then asphalt for the parking lots. By the end of the month, the building should be sealed off from the weather, according to Whaley.
With trees on the south and west sides, nature is being added inside and outside the library.
A large rain garden will be in front of the building with a variety of plants. The Northwest Missouri Master Gardeners are developing educational signage for the native plants around the building. Morris would like to partner with a local birding group because bird feeders are planned for the south side of the building.
A retention pond for all of the Mosaic Court area is behind the library, which brings more opportunities for programs with the Missouri Department of Conservation, Morris said.
And the trees aren’t staying outside. There will be two inside support columns dressed like trees, one in the children’s area and one in the adult collections area.
As the time comes closer to move to Riverside, Mears encourages Belt patrons to check out extra books by the end of February to get them through the closed period.
“Most programs and services will be on hiatus starting March 1, and we hope to move the branch at the end of that month and only be closed two or three weeks,” she said.
The Savannah Branch will remain open throughout this time, so all users are encouraged to look there for books and other items. The Bookmobile will continue its scheduled visits as much as possible. Books Revisited will remain open on Belt Highway until the end of April or beginning of May.
