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More than 150 people gathered at the site of the new Kenmore Library to celebrate the start of construction on the afternoon of Tuesday, June 8, 2010. As community members took seats, the Brass Ensemble from the Romanian Pentecostal Church entertained the crowd.

KCLS Director Bill Ptacek facilitated the program and several dignitaries addressed the crowd, including Deputy Mayor Milton Curtis, King County Councilmember Bob Ferguson, KCLS Board Member Jessica Bonebright and City Councilmember Laurie Sperry.

 “This has been a long time coming,” Ptacek said. “We are here to celebrate today.”

Addressing the crowd, Deputy Mayor Milton Curtis said reading makes a big difference in the lives of youth.

“This library represents an opportunity for the kids of Kenmore to advance,” Curtis said. “Libraries represent a place where big dreams can come to pass.”

Construction of the new 10,000 square foot library is anticipated to take about 10 months. The library will be located at a visible location on 181st Street. The new library will include more materials, computers, space for children and teens and a community meeting room. There also will be increased open hours.

When it came time for the ceremonial digging, children with small shovels and hard hats joined dignitaries with gold shovels and dug into a mound of earth. The crowd enjoyed refreshments provided by the Kenmore Library Association. Library construction-themed coloring books were handed out and Lolo the Clown made colorful balloon animals for children.