After two years and much controversy, the Ellen Coolidge Burke Branch of the Alexandria Public Library will reopen its doors on March 4.
The library was closed in 2000 to cut costs but is reopening primarily as a library, because of community outcry. The building will house the English as a Second Language division of the Alexandria City Public school system but will serve the community as the library they wanted.
“We are very pleased that we could reopen this facility as primarily a library,” said Mayor Kerry J. Donley. “However, we are also glad that the school system will be able to use it as well, especially in light of the shift in population that has occurred in the west end of the city.”
Library Director Patrick O’Brien, agreed. “I want all of Alexandria to be able to take advantage of all of the wonderful resources and services of the Alexandria Library at Burke Branch,” said O’Brien. “In addition to access to all of Alexandria library’s collection, Burke Branch will have a computer training lab with 14 computers for word processing and internet access and 12 reference and research computers.”
The Burke Branch will be home to more than 18,000 items, including books, DVD’s, videos and CD’s. In addition, a meeting room will be available for community use.
Carol Lisi is the director of the ESL center that will also be housed at Burke. “The space is very attractive and conveniently located to many of the families we serve,” Lisi said. “We are especially excited about helping our families get to know the library system and in creating a new partnership with the library as we work together in this building.”
The Burke Branch will be open Monday through Thursday from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., Friday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. The new facility will be formally dedicated on April 20.