MOSCOW -- It cost $3 million, and it took more than a year to build. The North Pocono area's new public library finally opened Monday morning.
With a turn of the key, North Pocono's new public library in Moscow welcomed its first visitors.
The building was years in the planning, fundraising, and construction phases.
5-year-old Luke Jones of Gouldsboro was one of the first to stop by.
"What are your favorite kinds of book?" "
"Monkey books," Luke said. "Curious George."
There is plenty of room for Curious George, Curious Luke, and all the others. This building is four times larger than the one it replaces.
The old library, just a few miles away, received about 75,000 visitors a year. At this new facility, with more room and more technology, they expect that number to jump by 20 percent.
Jillian Ferri and son Carter were frequent visitors to that old building in Moscow. They expect to make more visits to the new.
"It's beautiful. It's beautiful, much more space And I think it's going to be a great place for the kids to come and read and learn," Ferri said.
There is space for children, teens, and adults and computer-driven technology for everyone.
The library opened two weeks late due to problems getting the phones and internet hooked up. The timing is still good. This library opens as North Pocono schools closed for the summer.
"We are looking forward to doing a lot of programs here in this space and just providing a wonderful place for families to come and entertain themselves and learn new things," said Susan Jeffrey.
A formal grand opening is set for Saturday.