Thousands flock to new library; see photo slideshow and video highlights

By RUSSELL INGOLD

The 50th anniversary of National Library Week was commemorated on the week of April 13-19, and Fontana celebrated this milestone in a grand way with the opening of its brand new $65 million library (see video highlights by visiting www.youtube.com and searching for "New Fontana Library").

About 9,000 people were on hand for the opening of the Lewis Library and Technology Center at 8437 Sierra Avenue on April 19.

"The library is incredible," said Cali Olsen-Binks, who will be the new superintendent of the Fontana Unified School District. "I know the students in the city of Fontana are going to be blessed for many years to come."

Students such as Jorge Rodriguez from Juniper Elementary School were thrilled to be in attendance when the library first opened, even though many people had to wait in a long line to get in.

"The new library is wonderful," he said. "I was so happy to come here to see the Martin Luther King Jr. Children's Library."

In the weeks since the opening, the library has remained extremely popular, with thousands of people pouring through the doors to browse through the more than 100,000 books and other materials available.

The first official event at the Steelworkers' Auditorium at the library was a performance by comedienne Paula Poundstone on April 24. Poundstone delighted the audience with her show and then happily signed autographs for a long line of fans afterward. She donated proceeds from the show to the Fontana Library Foundation.

"I had a great time. The Fontana people were so nice and so fun," Poundstone said. "The new library is beautiful. I cannot get over that they had 9,000 people on opening day -- that's so great."

The library is open Monday through Thursday from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., Friday and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Sunday from noon to 5 p.m.

"It is certainly the grandest structure ever constructed in the city of Fontana," said John Roberts, a member of the Fontana City Council.

For more information about the library, call (909) 574-4500 or visit www.sbcounty.gov/library.

To see video highlights of the library on the Internet, visit www.youtube.com and search for "New Fontana Library."

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