ONTARIO ― While there hasn't been a bookstore at the Richland Mall for some time, there is the next best thing, at least for the next 12 months.
A person can conveniently borrow a book or video or use the computer, shop, and do some mall walking if they want to.
The Ontario branch of the Mansfield Richland County Public Library opened at its temporary location Monday at the Richland Mall, just a short distance from the temporarily closed branch.
The Ontario branch library at 2221 Village Mall Drive closed April 22 for a $3.2 million renovation expected to take a year to complete.
Monday, branch manager Matt Bachelder said people have been knocking on the door for two weeks asking when they would be open.
The shop housing the library, located next to American Eagle's shop, looks like it was meant for a library in the former shoe store, with neatly arranged shelves full of books and videos, a kids' area and computers.
Marianne Au of Mansfield was the first patron Monday.
"I've been looking forward to it," she said. Au said she uses the library every day.
Bachelder said a lot of the people at the mall walking by aren't even their regular customers since many come to walk at the mall or visitors at Avita Health System.
He said the mall will also provide extra space across from the temporary library for the summer reading program activities.
He said the library will have performers, jugglers and more Monday nights beginning the second week in June at 6 p.m. in Ontario Marshall Park.
Bachelder said the library was fortunate that the shelves were already in the store for the former The Shoe Department since the Ontario library branch shelves are in storage during the renovation.
"The idea of being closed for a whole year was pretty daunting," he said.
"We're pretty excited about it (the renovations)," he said. "We're creating an outdoor space and moving the front door so it will be right off the parking lot. It will be a little quicker, a little easier getting in."
Debbie Greter of Lexington was among the handful of mall walkers Monday morning around 9 a.m.
Greter said she tries to walk four or five laps.
She still has the first library card she got around age 5.
The Ontario branch library hours at the Richland Mall are 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays; 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays; and 1 to 5 p.m. Sundays. Call the library branch at 419-529-4912.
There is a library book return/drop-off box on the Stumbo Road side of the mall.
lwhitmir@gannett.com
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This article originally appeared on Mansfield News Journal: Temporary site of Ontario branch of Mansfield Richland County Public Library opens at mall
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