COMMUNITY
A NEW EDITION
Paula A. Lewis Branch Library
offers much more than a good read
Looking for a place to expand upon your technological
skills and perhaps learn some new ones? The
Paula A. Lewis Branch Library in Port St. Lucie is
the place to go. Offering the use of state-of-the-art
devices and a 3-D printer, as well as a teen gaming room,
the St. Lucie County branch library on Rosser Boulevard has
been an active space shared by residents of all ages since its
opening in 2017.
The library has long been an important institution in communities
across America. While providing the public with
the usual suspects, those printed tomes, libraries across the
nation have added computer access, DVDs, e-books, puzzles,
laptops, tablets, 3-D printing and social activities to lure in
other guests. Libraries are now a huge point of access for
educational resources such as open and lower-cost textbooks,
online courseware and project assistance. The library in
today’s world also serves as a place to facilitate real-life connections
between people in the community.
The Lewis branch is no exception to these advances in
our library system, focusing on wireless printing capabilities
so that guests are able to print with ease from their own
devices. This is the only library in the county that has a 3-D
printer that can be used by guests, for a nominal fee, with the
assistance of one of the library’s tech liaisons. Library staff
members have noted that the 3-D printer is an excellent way
for students to learn more about geometry and engineering.
The branch also flaunts a large children’s section chock
full of puzzles, games and, of course, books. There is also a
teen gaming room which houses several sets of virtual reality
headsets and gaming consoles connected to wide-screen,
curved monitors.
“My family loves the library,” La Leche League leader
Heather Reagan said. “They have a wonderful children’s section
with board books for my little ones, puzzles, and interactive
computer programs. I also meet parents there monthly
for breastfeeding support, so it’s a great place to meet other
families and build community.”
COMPUTER STATIONS
A sizable meeting room features a complete audio-visual
system. Guests are encouraged to take advantage of the use
of one of the many desktop stations. The branch’s Creation >>
28 Port St. Lucie Magazine
ANTHONY INSWASTY PHOTOS
The Paula A. Lewis Branch Library regularly schedules information sessions on the technology it has available for residents to utilize. Former Senior Technical
Specialist Enrique Carmona III, center, and Rowan Hussein, right, speak to local students about the use of the branch’s 3-D printer during a recent session.
BY RACHEL CUCCURULLO