While downtown Fargo is temporarily without a library until April 25 when the New Main Library opens, we thought we would give some glimpses into what will be coming in the new library. For those driving by on 1st Avenue North, you can already see many things happening inside the library.

As part of those glimpses inside, you may see some very bright colors. There are bright yellow-greens, orange, magenta, various shades of blue, and summery golds. For some folks, these colors may be, well, a bit interesting.

The colors within the new library have their roots in the public meetings held in 2005 and 2006. When the architects from Meyer, Scherer and Rockcastle asked those attending the public forums what they wanted in a new library, there were several comments along the lines of “Fargo is white and grey six months of the year; we don’t want a white and grey library anymore.�

The architects listened. At the next meeting, they came back with a concept board. This board was a collage of photographs taken in North Dakota. As they presented it, Jeff Scherer and Jack Poling said, “look around you; there are many colors here in your region.� And yes, there are. There is the intense yellow-green of the first shoots of corn in the fields. There is the bright reddish pink of a prairie sunset. There is the glowing orange of sunrise on the plains. Yes, there are somber colors of brown and grey as fields lie dormant for the winter. But to balance that there are the brilliant blue skies, gold sunflowers, and purple canola fields in bloom.

The concept board with the photographs and paint colors pulled from the photos is on display at our Carlson Branch, along with the floor plans for the New Main Library. As the plans have gone through revisions and slight adjustments, the concept board and the colors have stayed constant.

So even during this week when we returned to a white world outside, as we work inside the New Main we are surrounded by the colors of our landscape.

Teen game night, a special Dr. Seuss storytime, a visit with “Clifford the Big Red Dog� and Saturday storytime at the Northport Branch are some of  the upcoming events hosted by the Fargo Public Library this week.

First, teens are invited to the community room at the Dr. James Carlson Library for Rock Band® and Wii® starting at 4:30 p.m. on Thursday, March 5. Contact Teen Librarian Bree Schmidt at 476-5978 or bschmidt@cityoffargo.com for details.

Kids who love Dr. Seuss stories can join us Friday, March 6 to celebrate “Read Across America� at the Dr. James Carlson Library from 1 to 2p.m.  During this special storytime event, radio personalities from local radio station MoJo 104.7 will read classic Dr. Seuss stories and kids can even create their own Dr. Seuss characters.  No registration is required. For more information, call the Children’s Librarian at 241-1495.

Our “Read Across Americaâ€� event also includes a children’s book drive. New or gently used children’s books can be dropped off at the Dr. James Carlson Library (or any Fargo Public Library location) now through March 6. Books will be considered for the library collection or donated to area non-profit organizations in an effort to provide kids access to books and reading opportunities.

On Friday, March 6, youngsters will have a chance to meet “Clifford the Big Red Dog� at a starting at 2 p.m. community room of the Dr. James Carlson Library. No registration required for this storytime event. This program is geared for kids age 6 and under. For more information, call Children’s Services at 241-1495.

On Saturday, March 7, the Fargo Public Library is offering Saturday Storytime starting at 10 a.m. for preschoolers and toddlers at the library’s Northport Branch ( 2714 N. Broadway). No registration is required. Contact Children’s Services at 241-1495 for information.

Finally, the National Federation of the Blind of North Dakota will offer a “Braille Readers are Leaders� event to introduce the community to the services, resources and materials available to all ages. This event is open to the public; no registration is required. Contact Melisa Duncan at 476-4076 or email mduncan@cityoffargo.com for details.

Fargo Public Library events are free and open to the public. Adults must accompany children 10 and under.

People with disabilities who plan to attend Fargo Public Library events and need special accommodations should contact Beth Postema at 701-241-8198 or TDD at 241-8258. Please contact us at least three business days in advance of the event to give our staff adequate time to make arrangements.

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Movers and the Fargo Public Library staff will begin moving the library’s collection into the new main library beginning this week. Moving the library’s collection from the temporary location at 408 Roberts St. into the new building at 102 3^rd St. N. will start between 8:30 and 9 a.m. on Tuesday, March 3.

Fargo’s new main Library is set to open to the public on Saturday, April 25 at 10 a.m.