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Lorraine Westover, of Roy, smiles as she strolls the aisles of the new Weber County Library Southwest Branch in Roy on Monday, February 29, 2016. "Every three week I get a new batch," Lorraine said about checking out books. "I was at my wits end until it opened." Lorraine described the new location as "beautiful. Breathtaking really."

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Dennis Bateman, of Roy, works on his taxes at the Weber County Library Southwest Branch in Roy on Monday, February 29, 2016. The new building for the Southwest Branch opened that day.

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The Southwest Branch of the Weber County Library opened in Roy on Feb. 29, 2016. On Tuesday, library board members adopted the first-ever alcohol policy for the countywide system to allow patrons to host private events in specific areas and serve wine or cocktails.

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The Weber County Library Southwest Branch was busy with book lovers in Roy on Monday, February 29, 2016. The Southwest Branch was closed for a month while moving all of the books to the new building.

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Mary Martinez, of Roy, looks through periodicals in the curiosity room at the Weber County Library Southwest Branch in Roy on Monday, February 29, 2016. The new building for the Southwest Branch opened that day.

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The Weber County Library Southwest Branch was busy with book lovers in Roy on Monday, February 29, 2016. The Southwest Branch was closed for a month while moving all of the books to the new building.

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ROY — Locals are dazzled by the amount of space, light and technology in the new Southwest Branch of the Weber County Library. 

“It’s beautiful,” said Alison Benson, of Roy. “It’s kind of shocking, a little bit, in our little Roy community to have something this fancy and nice.”

The new building cost $23 million and was paid for through part of a $45 million bond approved in 2013 for four Weber County Library projects. Staff of the library welcomed patrons with an open house on Saturday, Feb. 27 and it officially opened on Leap Day.

The Holverson family was among those checking out books — and the building.

“It was great,” said Joelle Holverson, of Roy. “It’s big and spacious with a lot more seating, and the seating is really comfortable. There are a lot of new books, and it’s really well-organized.”

Holverson’s children, 12-year-old Susie and Daniel, 14, like the Young Adult area which has a tabletop that functions like a big tablet.

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The old Southwest Branch, at 1950 W. 4800 South in Roy, was built in 1976 and closed Jan. 16. 

The new library, at 2039 W. 4000 South, has a sleek, modern look. Decorated in white, gray and silver, the interior is bathed in light which streams through glass walls.

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But the updated look wasn’t the reason for constructing a new library.

“The old one was small,” said Randy Mueller, co-manager of the new building. “This one is right-sized.”

The old building was about 11,000 square feet but the new building, which will also house all support services for Weber County libraries, is more than 70,000 square feet, according to previous Standard-Examiner reporting. 

In addition to having more room, the new building has the amenities of a modern library: a cafe, black box theater, art gallery, a large activity center that can be divided into three smaller rooms and a professional kitchen. Outside the library is a large patio and amphitheater for events.

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“There were 11 public computers at the old branch, not counting the children’s area,” said Scott Jones, IT director for the Weber County Library. “Now we have 44.”

Computers for children and teens went from 5 to 23.

The teen area has a large-screen television, to which devices can be connected and diner-style booths with charging stations. The “Digital Commons” features a 3-D printer and room for staff to teach tech classes.

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Student Kate Benson said the new library is within walking distance of Sand Ridge Junior High.

“I think it’s going to be a great place for students to work together,” she said. “The other building didn’t have the space.”

Matt Heslop, a West Weber resident, said the new building is easy to use.

“I think it’s going to be a great addition, not just being a county library, but for Roy to have it in their city,” he said.

You can reach reporter Becky Wright at bwright@standard.net or at 801-625-4274. Follow her on Twitter at @ReporterBWright or like her on Facebook.