The Wait Is OVer: Rediscover Oak View
Published on January 02, 2026
By Priscilla W.
After four months of anticipation and hard work, Oak View is officially open once again!
This reopening marks more than the end of a renovation period. It represents the return of a beloved community space that has long served as a gathering point for learning, creativity, and connection. During the closure, staff members like me worked at other Siouxland Libraries branches, which provided a valuable experience. Now we are back and ready to welcome guests into this refreshed space.
The transformation begins before you even reach the front doors. Guests will notice the improved heated sidewalk and concrete work that guide them toward the entrance. You'll then be greeted by the Boy Reading a Book statue by artist Eric Thorsen, which was purchased and placed at the library by the Oak View Neighborhood Association. New landscaping now surrounds the building and extends from the front all the way to the sides and back. This includes a beautiful fenced-in courtyard and expanded outdoor seating. These additions offer guests the opportunity to enjoy library resources in the fresh air, to read beside nature, or to simply relax in an outdoor environment that supports reflection and creativity. This courtyard was made possible by a generous donation from the Lansky Estate, and the expanded outdoor space creates wonderful possibilities for Storytimes and other library programs.
Once inside, guests will see several major improvements. The number of study rooms has grown from one to four! These rooms provide quiet, flexible spaces ideal for tutoring, collaborative projects, and personal study. A new Mother’s Room offers privacy and comfort to nursing parents, while the addition of a family bathroom supports accessibility and ease for visitors of all ages. It even includes accessible changing stations for both child and adult guests.
The staff area now features a patron-side AMH return, providing a more seamless experience for returning your library checkouts. Throughout the building, you'll notice fresh paint, and the Maple Playroom offers new toys for young children to explore.
To celebrate the reopening of the branch and to welcome the community back, Oak View will host an Oak View Grand Reopening on January 7, 2026. This event will begin with a celebratory Family Storytime at 10 AM. Families can look forward to lively, party-themed picture books, music that encourages movement and laughter, and a collaborative coloring activity that invites children to help create a shared artwork for the branch.
Throughout the day, take part in a branch-wide scavenger hunt designed to highlight the many improvements and new features. In memory of Oak View staff member Brian Borden, the Oak View Glen—an interactive "search and find"-style terrarium—will be unveiled in its permanent position to spark wonder and imagination in the children of Oak View, just as Brian did himself. There will also be the opportunity to leave messages of love and appreciation for Oak View on a special display.
From 3 p.m. to 6 p.m., the community is invited to mark this important moment together with Mayor Paul TenHaken, members of the Library Board, and City Council. The celebration will include oversized games, a photobooth, behind-the-scenes tours, craft activities for all ages, and refreshments. At 4 p.m., John Nordlie from the Oak View Neighborhood Association and Siouxland Libraries Director Alysia Boysen will hold a dedication for the Boy Reading a Book statue out front. It will be a joyful afternoon designed to honor the work that went into this renovation and the community that makes the library thrive.
Oak View is thrilled to welcome everyone back. We hope you enjoy these updates as much as we enjoyed creating them, and we look forward to seeing you!