New state-of-the-art library west of Boynton Beach opens in January

Once the library is transferred to the county, officials expect it will take three months to equip it.

The Canyon branch will be the 19th library in the county.
It is located near the Canyon Town Center Amphitheater, off Boynton Beach Boulevard and Lyons Road.
The library will include a drive-up window, an outdoor plaza where cell phones can be charged and a digital room where podcasts can be created.

BOYNTON BEACH — Palm Beach County’s newest and perhaps most contemporary and comprehensive library is set to open in January at the Canyon Town Center.

Library Director Doug Crane said finishing touches were being carried out on the new $30 million, 33,000-square-foot facility, which is expected to create a sense of community in the western region of Boynton Beach. Once the builder completes minor repairs, Crane said the building will be turned over to library officials. It will then take its staff approximately three months to equip and furnish the library.

Crane made his comments Monday, Sept. 23, before a packed public meeting at the Valencia Reserve that drew more than 500 people. When it opens, The Canyon Branch will be the 19th library in the county. It is near the Canyon Town Center Amphitheater, off Boynton Beach Boulevard and Lyons Road.

It is the first library built in a shopping center. “You can pick up your books and then go shopping at Publix,” Crane joked.

Valencia Reserve, an active retirement community of more than 1,000 residents, is expected to make great use of the library. It is a few minutes’ walk away, opposite the West Lyon shopping center.

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The area west of the Florida Turnpike, between Hypoluxo Road and Atlantic Avenue, has been the scene of large-scale development, most notably along Lyons Road, where more than 10,000 homes have been built . For many residents, the nearest library branch is 5 to 8 miles away.

The Canyon branch will “open minds to a world of limitless possibilities,” according to library officials. The Boynton West Residential Association Coalition first called for a branch library in the area more than 10 years ago.

The library will include an outdoor plaza, a digital room and a recording studio

The library will include a drive-up window, an outdoor plaza where cell phones can be charged and a digital room where podcasts can be created. It will be the first library with a dedicated outdoor plaza. The library will be open seven days a week. Although it looks like a two-story building, Crane noted that it is only one story with high ceilings to capture as much sunlight as possible.

Here’s what else the library will offer:

Flexible floor spaces.
Automated payment and return stations.
A digital media laboratory.
Large meeting rooms for up to 350 people and can be divided into smaller spaces.
Smaller conference and study rooms.
Two thematic areas intended for children and teenagers.
Ample parking.
A green space.
A recording studio similar to the one at the West Palm Beach Main Library

“This is what you wanted,” said county Mayor Maria Sachs. “Not another car wash or pizza place. You’ve been waiting for this for a long time. It’s happening.”

Valencia Reserve residents will lose their multipurpose room for about a year due to a $9 million renovation project. Crane said the community can use the new library’s meeting room, which can accommodate up to 300 people. It can also be divided so that multiple groups can use it as time.

Mike Diamond is a journalist at The Palm Beach postwhich is part of the USA TODAY Florida network. He covers Palm Beach County government. You can reach him at [email protected]. Help support local journalism. Subscribe today.