Hundreds of Mesquite Residents showed up for the moment when Clark County Library District Board of Trustees Chairperson, Randy Ence and Mesquite Library Branch Manager, Judy Sargent cut the ribbon that officially opened the new Mesquite Campus of the Clark County Library. Photo by Teri Nehrenz
It was something many in Mesquite were waiting for, residents watched for 13 months while the construction was taking place. Hundreds gathered for the opening ceremonies but nothing compared to the final moment when the new, state-of-the-art Clark County Mesquite Library opened its doors to the public; what folks saw surpassed all expectation and was worth the wait.
The new Mesquite Library is the model for all Clark County libraries and the future looks bright; existing libraries will be updated and new will be built based on the Mesquite prototype and Mesquite got it first.
The library has something to offer for everyone and a lot more to offer Mesquite’s youth.
The library is offering a play area where kids can let their imaginations go anywhere. Costumes, complete with accessories can capture the attention of just about any aspiring actor, fireman, policeman, doctor or whatever the imagination decides and inspire them to envision themselves in those professions. Photo by Teri Nehrenz
Clark County Library Executive Director Dr. Ronald Heezen said during his ceremonial speech, “The new Mesquite Library campus, we hope, will be a source of pride, aspiration and most importantly, inspiration to all who enter and take advantage of its many and varied resources for generations to come. Reading and literature will always be a critical part of what we offer the public, but in order to serve the ever expanding needs expectations, interests, hopes and dreams of our customers, we are expanding our mission to become a hub for economic, social and educational progress.
“The new Mesquite Library campus was built on the 21st century model. A vibrant, diverse library filled with art and culture, new technologies and maker spaces with room for civic gatherings that bring people together and make our community stronger, more resilient and more economically viable. Your new Mesquite Library Campus is a shining example of this. This is the model in which we will do all our renovation throughout the entire district.
“Inside these doors you’re going to find many kinds of activities and gatherings, families preparing children for kindergarten, students receiving homework help after school whether it’s online or through hired tutors. The library will have project based learning opportunities that connect youth and adults to STEAM programs. Science, Technology, Engineering, ART and Mathematics and we’re really solid on that. I know that the school system goes with STEM but without enabling the arts side of the brain, we think the other side withers.”
So how is the new library going to enable the “art” side of the brain? There is everything and anything a child, youth or adult can wish for and then some.
The library is offering a play area where kids can let their imaginations go anywhere. Costumes, complete with accessories can capture the attention of just about any aspiring actor, fireman, policeman, doctor or whatever the imagination decides and inspire them to envision themselves in those professions. Perhaps your child has a proclivity for technology or inventing, 3D printers and print guns can help build that prototype or KIDS STEAM/Science classes can teach them about robotics.
Library 01: If your child has a proclivity for technology or inventing, 3D printers and print guns can help build that prototype or create anything they can imagine. Photo by Teri Nehrenz
If you’re an adult or a high school student getting ready to enter the workforce, Workforce Connections, now located in the old library building, can offer you a plethora of “One Stop” services to get you going; from job training to job placement; they’ve got all the resources you’ll need. If it’s public assistance you’re seeking, they can help you there as well. You can take care of all your needs in the same place; no more traveling around from office to office to get help.
Heezen spoke of the work it took to build the library in this community.
Former Clark County Library District Trustee Ken Carter began the fight many years ago. He was able to get a bond meeting for a new library and while it passed in this area, the rest of Clark County voted it down. The community has Carter, resident and Clark County Library District Board of Trustees Chair Randy Ence and Mesquite Mayor Al Litman to thank for their continued fight over several years to get this library for the community.
Heezen said, “Ken Carter, Randy Ence and I were extremely pleased to be able to work hand in hand with Mayor Litman and council members from the city of Mesquite and other city employees. With the help of this wonderful community, I think we have a facility we can be proud of. The generous gift of land for this project is a perfect example of what can be achieved when public entities combined their resources for the greater good.”
Check out the library and all the services they have to offer; it was worth the wait.
