November 19, 2008 - MADISON, WI - The much-anticipated new Sequoya Branch of Madison Public Library will open to the public at 9 a.m. tomorrow.

"We appreciate the enthusiasm of the many library customers who are excited for us to open, as well as the generosity and efforts of the many donors and staff who helped make this Sequoya Branch Library renaissance possible," said Jane Roughen, Community Services Manager for Branch Libraries. "It's a significantly larger library, zoned and equipped to support quiet individual pursuits and livelier group activities."

The library, expanded to 20,000 square feet from 12,000 square feet, features a special children's area with sections devoted to early literacy and family reading, an area especially for teens, and a hearth room for quiet reading. There is a large community room for neighborhood meetings and programs, and smaller conference rooms for study groups, small meetings and tutoring. The new Sequoya will offer expanded Internet access computer stations with centralized printing, as well as full WI-FI availability for laptop users, the option of self-service checkout and nearly 120,000 assorted books and media as well as access to valuable subscription-based informational and educational databases through the LINK system. Sequoya is the busiest Madison Public Library branch, with 279,000 visits and 690,000 items checked out this year.

The new library is a departure from the decor of more recently remodeled Madison libraries in that it has a more structural feel, with some exposed elements and bright accent colors. Sequoya construction incorporated many "green" elements such as natural/renewable materials and finishes, and kind-to-the-environment features like a greywater system that collects rainwater from the roof for toilet flushing. The new Sequoya Branch will earn LEED certification as green building, and the building itself will serve as a demonstration project - educating library users about sustainable buildings through a self-guided tour featuring the many environmentally sound decisions and practices that went into the library's design.

The library's new address is 4340 Tokay Boulevard, and the phone number will remain 266-6385. The library is open Monday-Friday, 9 a.m. - 9 p.m. and Saturday 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. Children's programming will resume the week of December 1. Library customers can once again reserve materials to be picked up at the Sequoya Branch through the LINKcat library catalog at www.madisonpubliclibrary.org.

Beginning Sunday, January 11, 2008, the library will also be open Sunday afternoons from 1 - 5 p.m. through April 26, 2009. These Sunday hours were funded by the Madison Public Library Foundation.

Save the date to attend the Grand Opening Celebration on Monday, December 8 from 4:30 - 6 p.m. This is a free, community event that will include tours, entertainment, and an appearance by Mayor Cieslewicz.

More updates and photos of the new library can be viewed at www.madisonpubliclibrary.org/about/sequoya.html