By Tammie Goins
Correspondent
CLEVELAND, Tenn. — Bookstores aren’t the only places to curl up with a good read and a cup of joe any more. Now patrons can have a “good book and coffee experience” at the Cleveland Public Library’s Bookworm Café.
The café is the latest addition to the library renovations completed in July, which included doubling its space to nearly 41,000 square feet. A grand opening celebrating the entire facility upgrade will be held today at 10 a.m.
In addition to new seating, an expanded children’s area, study areas and meeting rooms, the café is a welcome and inviting addition to the library, which serves between 800 and 900 patrons each day, officials said.
“The café feature is becoming more of a trend in libraries,” Director Andrew Hunt said. “It just enhances some of the things patrons have access to and is a nice, new feature for them. Overall, they’re excited with the whole project, including the café.”
Mr. Hunt said the only other library in the area with a café is in Maryville, Tenn.
Featuring 24 seats in 800 square feet and free wireless Internet access, the Bookworm Café serves soups, sandwiches, desserts, coffees and teas.
IF YOU GOLibrary hours are Monday through Thursday from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., Friday and Saturday 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday 1 to 5 p.m. The café is open during library hours but closes one hour before library closing. Visit www.clevelandlibrary.org for more information.
Patrons and employees enjoy the convenience and the homemade touch provided by proprietors Dave and Pat Kimbro.
“I eat here almost every day,” said library volunteer Judy Haven. “I like all the food, and it’s convenient … and Dave always makes what I ask for.”
Mr. Kimbro said about 85 percent of the café’s offerings are homemade, and his specialties are the chicken salad and roast beef.
“People are crazy about the chicken salad,” he said.
Tammie Goins is based in Bradley County. Contact her at tammiegoins@live.com