Books and Smiles at Bloomington Library Grand Opening

BLOOMINGTON >> The grand opening celebration for the new Bloomington Branch Library successfully took place on Saturday, May 14. The new library is part of a multi-generational community of Bloomington Grove affordable housing apartments and Lillian Court senior community. This county sponsored library project is also collaborating with Colton Unified School District to provide services and resources. According to Fontana Herald News, “along with the library, the county pursued development of 106 affordable housing apartments for seniors and families. The county will begin construction for the second phase of an additional four-acre site which will add 85 units to the Bloomington Grove affordable housing development.” “We are very excited from the county standpoint, because this program will bring all kinds of resources together to provide affordable housing with nice amenities to the area that is desperately in need of it. We are focusing on the county’s vision to promote the neighborhood’s well-beings and prosperity through reading and literacy. I highly encourage everyone to come to the library, it is free to register and you will have the access to the millions of resources here,” said Leonard X. Hernandez, the Deputy Executive Officer of San Bernardino County Administrative Office. The free community celebration event started at 10 a.m. and included games, a magic show, balloon storytelling, a car show, children’s play area, food trucks, free children’s book giveaway, and a live music performance by Bloomington High School Jazz band. There was also a complimentary lunch and dessert ticket that was given to the first 1,700 attendees which they were able to redeem at their choice of 9 food trucks. During the public dedication ceremony, the County Library and Colton Unified School District's Super Hero Reading Program brought out Batman as the surprise guest to present prizes to the children, recognizing their efforts in promoting the importance of reading and literacy. Followed by a ribbon cutting ceremony at 11 a.m., library tours were hosted to introduce the community to the features such as the computer lab, private study rooms, automatic checkout system, learning programs, and children's reading area.