I know it was time for a new building. The old one was small, deteriorating, and lacking accessibility for people with disabilities (you can’t say handicapped any more or you’re a hatemonger). But it’s a shame to see the old building go the way it has.

For those of you who remember this building, or even better – were able to spend time here as kids, you’ll know what I’m talking about. It was fun to play on the steps before going in or after coming out, with the slanted concrete along the steps. There was a narrow spiral staircase leading to the children’s section downstairs, tucked into such a narrow nook that it looked like Bruce Wayne built it for secret crime fighting purposes. Then there’s just the old familiarity of the place and the ladies that staffed it. So there’s the old sentimentality kicking in.

I don’t know how the building is being used now, but it sure looks dilapidated inside, with stuff strewn all over the place. I’d hate to see it torn down, which I guess has been on someone’s agenda for a while. There’s a shortage of truly historic buildings in the Bismarck-Mandan area; only Mandan seems to have an interest in keeping them around. I’d prefer to see the old Mandan Library become a museum or something of sorts…then I could show my little boy some of the features that I loved about the place when I was a boy.