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Westgate Branch

Westgate Branch interior

2503 Jackson Ave (In Westgate Shopping Center) - Google Maps
Ann Arbor, MI 48103
(734) 327-4200


You can reserve Meeting Room A or B at Westgate at rooms. Reservations are available from tomorrow onward. You can reserve two hours per room per day, limited to 12 bookings per room per year.

Originally opened in 1977, the Westgate Branch re-opened in September 2016, having nearly quadrupled in size to its current 21,000 square feet. The Westgate Branch serves as a convenient learning center that delivers superior customer service, primarily to the residents of the northwest quadrant of Ann Arbor. The branch is in the well located and easily accessible Westgate Shopping Center off of Jackson Avenue.

Resources

The Branch houses an updated collection, consisting of traditional materials, such as books, BOCDs, and DVDs, now organized by user-friendly subject headings. Electronic resources include 13 public computer terminals, wireless internet access, and abundant electrical outlets throughout the building. Along with the more traditional picture and chapter books, the Westgate Kids section features a sizable collection of kids magazines, educational toys, a group of iPad gaming stations, and a giant honeycomb wall!

Spaces

While its primary mission is to deliver traditional library services, the Branch also serves as a true community center. In addition to the quiet and comfortable reading area complete with fireplace similar to other AADL branches, Westgate features both tables and comfortable seating throughout the building. Many tables are found near Sweetwaters Cafe, the first full-service cafe located within an AADL location. In addition to open seating, the branch has four first-come, first-served study rooms. Two meeting rooms are also available and reservable by members of the public. The West Side Room is used for library programs and will be available for rental beginning in January 2017.


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Blog Post

Westgate is looking for a few good hands! (And eyes, and smiles)

by shurand

In preparation for the grand reopening of the Westgate Branch, AADL has opportunities for community members who want to lend a hand. Adult volunteers (ages 18+) can help staff complete specific projects at Westgate in late August - early September before the branch opens (exact dates and times TBD). Those wishing to sign up should email volunteer(at)aadl(dot)org by 8/18/16 with the following information:

- subject line: "Westgate Volunteer"
- first and last name
- birthdate (day/month/year)
- phone number (cell phone preferred)
- any questions or additional information about yourself that may be important for staff to know

Our Volunteer Coordinator will contact interested participants when specific volunteer shifts become available.

The deadline to sign up is Thursday, 8/18/16.

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Blog Post

Westgate Will Open on Tuesday, September 6

by aadl-news

The Westgate branch of the AADL will open on Tuesday, September 6 at 9:00 AM. We invite you to visit this newly renovated location, and to join us there for a public celebration on Sunday, September 18, at 12:00 PM. We will have music, food, and fun for all ages at this celebration of a new library in a familiar place.

Josie

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Blog Post

AADL Welcomes Sweetwaters Coffee & Tea to Westgate Branch!

by eli

Library patrons will soon be able to enjoy a delicious cup of fresh coffee or tea as they browse new collections at the expanded Westgate Branch Library!




Sweetwaters Coffee and Tea signed a sublease this week to operate a café adjacent to the Branch when it re-opens in late summer. Lisa Bee, Sweetwaters owner and founder, says, “We are so excited and thrilled to join the AADL family and Westgate. To be a part of the first Ann Arbor library where patrons can enjoy a treat with their favorite book is a great honor.”



According to Library Director Josie Parker, “The Ann Arbor District Library's opportunity to expand in place at the Westgate Shopping Center allows the Library to consider and develop a new and different type of partnership. We are pleased to launch this public/private partnership between the Library and Sweetwaters Coffee and Tea. Sweetwaters opening will coincide with the reopening of the expanded Library in late summer 2016.”



Sweetwaters Coffee and Tea was founded in 1993 by Lisa and Wei Bee in downtown Ann Arbor. Both Wei and Lisa are UM graduates who decided to stay in Ann Arbor, continue their families’ hospitality tradition, and become a part of the Ann Arbor business community.



Sweetwaters Coffee and Tea is a warm, comfortable, coffeehouse that offers a blend of traditional European espresso drinks, globally inspired beverages, beautiful Asian teas, delicious desserts, pastries, and savory treats.



Library Board President Jan Barney Newman adds, “It is with great anticipation that the Trustees of the Library look forward to Sweetwaters presence in the expansion of the Westgate Branch. A gathering place on its own, Sweetwaters will be a great asset to the Library and the Westgate Community. “



The new Westgate Branch expansion adds 16,500 square feet to create a branch with 21,000 square feet for its users. The Branch closed in late November and construction is now underway.



Updates on this project can be found on the library website. For more information, visit westgate.

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Blog Post

Westgate Branch has Closed for Expansion!

by TimG

Westgate Branch, the smallest and oldest of AADL branches, closed for expansion on Friday, November 20 at 9:00 pm. It will reopen in mid-2016 with 21,000 square feet, creating a new, modern branch for the community.

Item Requests for West Branch pickup will be sent to Pittsfield. You can call the renewal line at 734-327-4219 to have your items moved to another branch if you prefer.

Drop boxes will not be available at West Branch until the project is complete. Items can always be returned at any other AADL location.

For more information about the upcoming expansion, visit westgate . Thanks for your patience as we work to bring you an amazing new Library!

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Blog Post

Westgate Branch to Expand

by eli

Good news, Everyone! The Westgate Branch, the smallest and oldest of the Ann Arbor District Library branches, is about to expand.

Although AADL Library services have increased and expanded over the last decade, Westgate Branch has not been remodeled for over 21 years. The branch originally opened in Maple Village Shopping Center in 1977, moved to Westgate Shopping Center in 1983 and was remodeled ten years later in 1994, adding 2,314 square feet.

Westgate Branch, which currently has 5,500 square feet, is still approximately only 1/3 of the size of the other AADL branches. Its circulation figures match and even surpass some of the other branches, and the current Westgate space has no room for events and youth storytimes, popular and important features at all other locations.

The new expansion will add 16,500 square feet to create a branch with 21,000 square feet for its users. New features will include:
• 2 new public entrances, allowing for additional parking access from the rear Westgate parking lot
• A Kids area with story space for preschool and baby storytimes
• Additional space for books and other library materials
• 5 open study rooms for use by adults, teens and youth
• A community meeting and event space for authors, lectures, performances and other events
• 2 small group meeting rooms
• A comfortable reading room with a fireplace
• Additional seating and workspaces with additional wiring for computers and other electronic devices
• A café operated by a local business

Earlier this year, Westgate Branch neighbor Sun & Snow relocated out of the Westgate Mall. Pictures Plus will also relocate to a new Westgate location at the end of this month. These vacancies provide AADL with an opportunity to expand a popular branch location that already experiences over 200,000 visits per year.

AADL Trustees have signed a lease to expand the Branch and construction is expected to begin in November 2015 with an expected opening in summer 2016. Westgate Branch will close November 20 so that construction can begin, and staff working at that location will be re-assigned to alternate locations during the construction period. Construction costs will be paid upfront by Westgate Management and AADL will reimburse Westgate Management up to 1.2 million of the construction costs over the first 8 years of the lease.

In addition to expanding the Library for the convenience of current users, AADL is looking forward to welcoming many new patrons. AADL’s past openings of Malletts Creek, Pittsfield and Traverwood Branches all saw remarkable increases in use at each new branch, as well as across the Library system.

Updates on this project will be posted on the library website. For more information, visit westgate.