The South Bend Timberland Library is celebrating the completion of the library’s new lift and entryway that makes the library accessible to all. On Saturday, September 2 at 3 p.m., Mayor Karl Heinicke will open the event by cutting the ribbon to the lift. Afterwards, people can come inside to enjoy their library and visit with Michele Torrey, acclaimed local author of nine children’s books. The Friends of the South Bend Timberland Library will provide refreshments.

South Bend’s historic Carnegie library building was constructed in 1913 with 13 steps leading to the only entrance. The lift project, completed in July, resulted in an additional entrance equipped with a lift so people with mobility challenges can get from the street level into the library. "We are delighted that people who are unable to climb stairs can now enter the building, browse the shelves, and enjoy their library’s programs," said Jodi Reng, Timberland Regional Library Director.

The City of South Bend has installed a new parking area and paved walkway to the lift. The project also included remodeling the restroom to accommodate a wheelchair.

"The lift opens a lot of doors to a lot of people," said JoAnn Rucker, South Bend’s Community Library Supervisor. "Even though we still have the ‘13 steps to higher education’ that many Carnegie libraries are known for, people who can’t take the stairs any longer don’t have to give up easy access to their library." About five people have used the lift each day Rucker said. She expects there will be many more when word spreads.

The visit with Ms Torrey is an example of the programs that make a library such an enjoyable and educational community asset. Torrey’s books include fast-paced seafaring adventures for intermediate and middle grade youth that include fascinating historical background. She has also written a series of entertaining chapter books for beginning readers featuring resourceful young detectives who use basic science and ingenious deduction to solve mysteries. The books include instructions for performing the experiments described in the stories. Torrey will sign copies of her books at the event.

The lift project was paid for by a U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development grant, a Timberland Regional Library partnership grant, and funds raised by the Friends of the South Bend Timberland Library. The cost totaled $95,000.

For more information, people may call the library at (360) 875-5532.