CHARLESTON, W. Va. – The main library of the Kanawha County Public Library System in downtown Charleston has remained busy since reopening after a multimillion-dollar renovation.

Jai Ravine, marketing coordinator for the Kanawha County Public Library (KCPL), told 580-WCHS that more than 13,000 visitors passed through the renovated location throughout May and the library earned 1 127 new memberships during the period. A grand reopening of the facility took place on May 9.

Ravine said the $32 million renovation, which included 20,000 square feet of new space and a Sky Bridge over Quarrier Street, drew new visitors, some of whom haven’t been to a library in years.

Library visitors now enjoy all of its features, including a tool lending library, IDEA Lab, a cafe operated by local business Mea Cuppa, an expanded children’s area, additional public meeting space and rooms conference and study.

The IDEA Lab offers 3D printing, robotics, video and sound recording, virtual reality technology, scrapbooking and even sowing. Ravine said there was a lot of traffic.

“There have been classes where people can learn how to use the Glowforge and WAZER. You can also come in and take training on Cricut sewing machines and cutters,” Ravine said.

Another destination of the population has been meeting rooms and study rooms which have been “booked pretty much all day”. Study rooms were unavailable this week due to a technology installation.

Ravine told anyone interested in library membership to go to kcpls.org. Guest passes are also available.