Mirror staff reports:

The Federal Way 320th Library will close July 22 for construction.

Patrons are encouraged to use the Federal Way Regional Library at 34200 1st Way S. The regional library will host programs that were scheduled at the 320th library.

In addition, the regional library’s hours will expand. Beginning July 29, the library will be open 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday.

Construction

The Federal Way 320th Library, 848 S. 320th St., will expand to 15,000 square feet. The new facility will include a multipurpose meeting room, study rooms and additional seating. Construction is expected to last one year.

The new facility will also include:

• A closer placement to 320th Street, so the building is more easily viewed from the road.

• An increase of parking spaces, from 61 to about 90.

• Re-landscaping of the site, which will include removal of much of the current vegetation already on-site.

• A design that creates more actual space for users (about 5,000 square feet), and also creates the impression of space. The new design will have a 22-foot tall ceiling on the east end, sloping down to 14 feet at the west end.

Opened in 1970, the present facility measures about 11,000 square feet. The construction is expected to cost about $5 million and will be funded through a bond measure approved by voters in 2004. The $172 million capital bond included an $8.1 million expansion and renovation of the Federal Way Regional Library, which reopened in June 2010 at 34500 1st Ave. S.

Learn more

For more information on the library, visit www.kcls.org/bond/320th or call (253) 839-0257.