Norfolk, VA (February 8, 2008) - Join the City of Norfolk and the Norfolk Public Library on Thursday, March 13, 2008 for the Grand Opening Celebration of the Mary D. Pretlow Anchor Branch Library. The Grand Opening Celebration will begin at 10:00 a.m. with a ribbon-cutting ceremony, followed by a small reception, tours of the new building, and other events scheduled throughout the day. Book characters Curious George and Strawberry Shortcake will also be on hand to greet children of all ages! The Mary D. Pretlow Anchor Branch Library is located at 111 W. Ocean View Avenue.

The new Anchor Branch will feature:

The 10,000 square foot children's library and early childhood learning center will be located on the second floor and will be unlike any other children's library in Norfolk. It will have 20 children's computers, a baby toddler playscape, and developmentally appropriate toys and activities for kids from birth through 10 years-old. It will also offer a large programming room for children.

"We are building a library that will meet the needs of Norfolk residents today and tomorrow. This new design increases the space designated for the children's area, providing the tools needed for the library to help parents prepare their children to enter school ready to read," says Norman Maas, the Director of Norfolk Public Library. Building the new Pretlow Branch Library is the first step in fulfilling the goals and objectives of a 1998 study prepared by Providence Associates.

Sun Bay Contracting of Virginia Beach was awarded the contract to build the new Library. The lead architect, Ed Lazaron, from Design Collaborative, Chris Smith and Sam Russo from the City of Norfolk Public Works Department, and Ray Jennings of Ray Jennings Interior Design have worked on this project closely with library staff. The architecture firm, Hanbury Evans Wright Vlattas and Company, and Siska/Aurand Landscape Architects also helped to design the new Pretlow Branch Library for the Norfolk community.