And it came to pass that on the fifth day of the sixth month of the tenth year of the third millennium, a host of men, women and children gathered to witness the grand opening of the Federal Way Regional Library.

After more than a year of renovation, valued at $8.1 million, and countless hours of back-breaking labor, the building was rededicated to the people of Federal Way — and they were not disappointed.

Verily, verily I say unto thee, the multitude of all stripes came from near and far, sheltering from the pelting sun under the huge white tent.

The spanking new edifice houses score times score times score more books, scrolls, parchments, plaques and sundry other tools for the advancement of wisdom and knowledge for the masses.

Behold, the chief of the city, Mayor Linda Kochmar, dressed in raiment fit for the occasion, spoke to the crowd. And just before the cutting of the ribbon, she calleth forth the little children to come unto her.

Wide eyed and bushy tailed, they soon flocked to the pavilion made of choice wood, glass and stones to try out their new gadgets.

Hear ye thou townspeople, many were they who experienced a difficult period and also did much murmuring during the time of this library’s closing. But on opening day, many were laughing. They breathed a sigh relief. Ahh!

They crisscrossed the length and breadth of their new library, sitting in this chair and that. They tested water coolers and vending machines. They rode toy horses and worked on computers.

Toddlers laid claims to colorful toys, giving names to plastic dogs and cats under the watchful eyes of pleased mothers.

Armed with mile-wide smiles, and exuding a presence of hope and good wishes, a phalanx of youth volunteers were on hand to greet and chaperone the curious throng.

The builders hath done the people of Federal Way proud. Happy will these residents be for a long time to come. The addition of 9,500 square feet, making it a total of 34,000 square feet, has enhanced the library in myriad ways.

Come now, therefore, and behold with thine own eyes the wondrous work that was wrought. Building upon the library’s rich natural setting in a clump of evergreen trees, architects draweth upon an earthy, daylight feel.

A series of new skylights, in the form of raindrops, were added as well as movable glass panels inside so that patrons may better able to see one another. All this visual comes alive while having the full view of the trees, native plants and gardens outside.

Lumber salvaged from trees on the property is plenteous. It is quite beauteous in the new interior design throughout the building.

“Thou shalt not take away our clock,” city dwellers had warned the builders, and they obliged, making good with that request.

Every project has an overseer, and the King County Library System’s (KCLS) director Bill Ptacek was on spot to celebrate with movers and shakers and regular folks alike.

The names of Bill LaPatra and Scott Gellner, architect and builders of the project, will have a long shelf life here in Federal Way and throughout the county, by the look of things.

Skip Priest and Mark Miloscia, our state representatives, brought good tidings and extolled the benefits of a community’s library.

On that day the elements cooperated, giving excellent sunshine without a drizzle.

Hear ye oh beloved Federal Wayites, blowers of trumpets and ringers of bells, a new day hath dawned. Thou shalt not fret. With the library paving the way for bigger and better things, the best is yet to come for our fair city.

We cannot say enough thank-yous to KCLS’s perennial gift-givers in the Land of Redmond (aka the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation). We as a people are eternally grateful.

City youths, harken unto the voice of reason. Take heed of the laws of mathematics and economics, and language art and social studies.

Heed the words of your librarians and show them that you are there to take advantage of all the resources of your library. Do have fun with those computer games, but please strike a balance, will you?

If thou wilt invest in your reading, thou shalt be sure of great returns to in the future. Because a state-of-the-art library is too valuable a treasure to waste. Selah!