A cafe in a public library? Yes.

Public libraries have long been an essential part of a community's education and civic infrastructure, but their tried-and-true operating manual is changing. Increasingly, the library is becoming a center of social life as well. That's certainly the case at the Cleveland Bradley County Public Library.

The main library, located at 795 Church Street NE in Cleveland, is proof. It's undergone extensive renovations within the past year. Some of that work greatly expanded the ability of the library and its staff to provide enhanced educational and civic services to its patrons. One addition, though, could contribute significantly to the social life of those who are accustomed to visiting the library as well as attract additional traffic to the venerable institution.

The recent renovations doubled the facility's space to nearly 41,000 square feet. Much of the additional space provides ample room for an expanded children's section as well as new study areas and meeting rooms. All have proven popular and are utilized heavily. It's another addition, though, that broadens the library's public outreach in a new but positive manner.

The recently opened Bookworm Cafe already is winning a dedicated following among library patrons, staff and others in the community. The attractive 800-square-foot facility features 24 seats and offers free wireless Internet access. The menu is limited to mostly homemade offerings, but the sandwiches, soups, desserts and a variety of coffee and teas available have proved popular with patrons. Moreover, the cafe attracts visitors who might not otherwise visit the library.

A cafe, of course, is a rather new concept for a public library. It wasn't so long go that a library was a place where silence reigned and any form of social discourse, particularly conversation, was discouraged. That, happily, is no longer the case.

Public libraries across the country now eschew those traditional rules in favor of creating a more informal atmosphere that appeals to a broader clientele and that encourages public interaction. A place where patrons and others can have a light meal, share thoughts about a good book or have a spirited conversation in pleasant surroundings is part of that experience. It is a change for the good.

The Bookworm Cafe is not unique, of course, but it is among first of its type in the region. It won't be the last. Other public libraries in the region, both large and small, have plans to create similar spaces within their buildings or are discussing the possibility of doing so. A visit to the Cleveland Bradley County Public Library and the small but lively cafe it houses will demonstrate the wisdom of such planning.

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