By CASSANDRA MICKENS/Associate Editor

MT LAUREL — The town of Mt Laurel will celebrate the completion of its new library during a ribbon-cutting and open house June 21 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

The 1,644-square-foot Mt Laurel Library, located at 111 Olmsted St. between Mt Laurel Grocery and Double Oak Community Church, is a project seven years in the making. The Friends of Mt Laurel Library, a nonprofit group, launched a grassroots effort to raise funds for the library’s construction. Most of the building funds come from individual donations and fundraising activities as well as major contributions.

The library was built on property donated by EBSCO Industries, and a groundbreaking ceremony was held in January 2014.

“Years of fundraising and hard work by residents of Mt Laurel and the surrounding areas have finally made the dream of having a permanent public library in Mt Laurel a reality,” said Friends Chairwoman Ann Price. “The building itself is even more stunning than we imagined it would be.”

The library, which will be staffed, maintained and operated by the North Shelby Library, will offer a more extensive library collection and services than are currently offered at its temporary location at 33 Olmsted St. In addition, the library will feature more than 20 lendable Nooks pre-loaded with popular selections for patron of all ages and offer public access computers, wireless Internet and printing and scanning capabilities.

The library’s design reflects the design and feel of Mt Laurel, including craftsman-style light fixtures and a custom-made circulation desk. The building has three large rooms and a children’s alcove, which features “the tree,” a mural painted by Mt Laurel resident Rorie Scroggins.

Also in the children’s alcove is a “log” seat crafted by Mt Laurel resident Sandy Bishop. Bishop made the “log” seat from and fallen neighborhood tree and can be found under the “the tree” mural.

The library also features a community room that doubles as a second reading room. Information on renting the community room will be available at the open house.

“The Board of the North Shelby Library and I are excited about the beautiful new facility that the people of Dunnavant Valley will be able to enjoy and utilize over the coming years,” said Director of Library Services Katie Guerin.

The ribbon-cutting ceremony will begin at 10 a.m., followed by the open house. For more information, visit Mtlaurellibrary.org.