By Sarah Light, staff writer

More space. Brighter colors. Newer technology.

For the patrons of the Albert Lea Public Library, the recent renovations and expansions at the library have been nothing but a success.

Now that the facility has been reopened for about a month since the completion of the redevelopment, area residents have had the opportunity to take advantage of the modernization and to get used to the changes.

&8220;We&8217;re really impressed,&8221; said patron Aniko Eastvold, who was at the library Thursday with her children for storytime. &8220;It&8217;s a nice environment to bring your kids to.&8221;

Eastvold said she and her family moved to Albert Lea from Nebraska in the beginning of August and have since been pleased with what the library here has to offer.

&8220;They love coming here,&8221; she said.

The facility&8217;s main level now features all fiction books, along with all DVDs, CDs and newly ordered books. It also includes the new teen area, with comfortable seating, magazines and books to cater to that age group.

The second floor features the information center, which includes all nonfiction books, magazines and 10 patron computers, along with the children&8217;s library, which is a light and bright space with soft neutral walls and wood-colored washable flooring.

&8220;The space is great,&8221; said Riverland Community College student April DeVries.

She said she comes to the library at least three times a week in-between classes to study.

&8220;It&8217;s well-deserved,&8221; said mother Diane Kurth. &8220;The library really needed it.&8221;

Kurth, who, like Eastvold, was at storytime Thursday with her daughter, Laural, said she and her children come to the library about two times a week.

&8220;I&8217;ve seen the benefits, even with my older kids,&8221; she said. &8220;They love to read and they love the librarians. This is one of the places they were first accepted.&8221;

Of the renovations recently completed, Kurth said she and her children enjoy the added space the library now has and she thinks the library did a great job of doing as much as they could with the resources available.

Head children&8217;s librarian Patty Greibrok said library employees have received nothing but positive feedback about all of the recent changes.

&8220;We&8217;re so happy with it,&8221; Greibrok said. &8220;We&8217;re so thankful for the people of Albert Lea and Freeborn County for come up with the funds for the library. Everybody has been very generous.&8221;