Danyul Schwartz came across the reopening of the Charleston Carnegie Public Library Sunday and was excited with what he saw.

“It’s really impressive what they have done with it,” he said.

Schwartz, who usually visits the library three times a week while in the city, said the feature he liked the most about the new library addition is the wide selection of computers it offers on the first and second floors.

He was also impressed with the amount of space now offered in the foyer of the library and the new areas the additions offers library-goers.

Schwartz was just one of more than 300 area residents to come to the library opening Sunday afternoon.

Even though they were expecting people to come out to see the library, Library Director Sheryl Snyder and Library Board President Eric Huddlestun said the number of people who showed up surprised them.

“I’ve heard so many comments from people,” Snyder said. “But (the number of people) is more than I even thought would come out.”

She said community interest and eagerness about the project along with Sunday’s sunny weather were among the reasons so many people came to the opening.

Snyder said the library had a long line of people waiting to get in when the doors were opened at 1 p.m., as well as a constant stream of people going in.

Snyder, along with several other library personnel, gave guided tours of the new addition to interested community members, showing them the new meeting hall and children’s areas, as well as the expanded book areas and reference desk.

After seeing the library, many city residents expressed their approval of the expansion.

Les Higginbotham called the library addition “super” and commented on how he appreciated the atmosphere the extra space provides.

“I like the feel of it,” he said.

Don Holly, another Charleston resident, said he was happy the library was open again for public use.

“It’s a great thing for the town,” he said.

Holly said he liked the design of the lobby and thought it was reminiscent of the designs used in Eastern’s Booth Library.

While Snyder was happy so many people came out yesterday, she hopes they will keep coming out to see the continual changes the library will be making through the year.

“We’re very pleased with today’s turn out and we hope people continue to come out to see the different changes we’ll be making,” she said.

Snyder said the opening of the new addition was the end of phase one of the project, which is why there was no grand opening ceremony; phase two is the renovation of the existing library building expected to be completed in June.

Jordan Crook can be reached at 581-7945 or jscrook@eiu.edu.