3 JAN 05: OPEN THE BOOK

For many people in Columbus, this is a historic day - as a new central library opens. For those of you who only are satisfied with paying full-price for books at Barnes and Noble, maybe someday you'll understand....

The new Columbus Library sits well back from Macon Road, where Columbus Square Mall used to be. It's in front of the Columbus Square cinemas - which may soon be out of business, once people hear they can check out DVD's and videos for free.

Staff members spent the weekend moving items from the old Bradley Library to the new Columbus Library. The old building will be turned into office space for Muscogee County School District employees - and we hope Superintendent John Phillips enjoys having his own mezzanine floor.

I'm told security has been very tight around the new library for the last few days. Those guys with brass knuckles who closed the Lumpkin branch are in for a real donnybrook here. Why, the guards might bash them over the head with giant reference books.

Staff members say the new Columbus Library will have 175,000 items available for checkout. In a way, this is a shame - because what about the other 10,000 residents, who won't have anything?

WRBL reported over the weekend about one-third of the items at the new Columbus Library have never been available to the public before. I wonder if B-101 FM and Ritmo Latino Radio donated all their CD's....

If it's like the other branches, the new main library will have public access computers available. And staff members note it also will have "Wi-Fi" capability - so people can bring in their own laptops, to play noisy rap music or destroy space aliens in online games.

The architecture of the new Columbus Library includes a rotunda in the center. It certainly will make the building stand out - and who knows how many sports teams will show up, thinking it's the city's domed stadium.

Promoters of the Columbus Library promised it also would have a café for buying drinks and snacks. Am I the only one who's concerned about this - and possibly finding a slice of tomato in the middle of a novel?

The new Columbus Library cost more than $50 million to build. Voters approved a one-cent sales tax to pay for it - back when it didn't have to compete for attention with public safety officers.

There's plenty of room around the Columbus Library for other things. Developers recently promoted building everything from small restaurants to housing units. Does this mean Wal-Mart isn't interested in it anymore?

The Columbus Library's web site indicates opening day will include a special appearance, by a couple of authors I admit aren't familiar to me. Certainly they can't be here to autograph copies of their book - because the library isn't likely to have more than two copies available for checkout.

With the new main library opening, officials say their next project is an expansion of the Mildred Terry Library downtown. NOW they think of this idea! They could have saved the cost of building that paved parking lot a few years ago.

Now other notes from a Sunday which felt more like April than January:

+ The Sunday high temperature in Columbus was a near-record 73 degrees F. Yet something must be wrong here - because my neighbors didn't cook outside on their grills all weekend.

(It's SO WARM that Keep Columbus Beautiful may give Christmas tree recyclers seedlings for palm trees.)

+ Muscogee County Marshal-Elect Greg Countryman revealed to WXTX "News at Ten" the officers will have new uniforms, as he takes office today. Apparently the old clothes didn't quite match the weapons Ken Suddeth bought....

(So if Ken Suddeth had to beg the public for money to buy new weapons, where did Greg Countryman find the money for new uniforms? Did he have that much left over in campaign donations?)

+ TV sportscaster Kirsten Olesen announced she's engaged. In fact, she did it on her own blog. There's no surer sign that we're in 2005 than this....

+ The Atlanta Falcons lost to Seattle 28-26, failing on a two-point conversion on the final play. C'mon, Matt Schaub - Michael Vick wouldn't have handed off that ball.

+ Which local newscaster declared Auburn is "gearing up for the Iron Bowl?" Alabama probably wouldn't mind replacing Virginia Tech tonight - if only for the paycheck.

+ Which pawn shop on South Lumpkin Road is holding a "going out of business" sale? You'd think the owner would wait until after the Third Brigade leaves Fort Benning for Iraq.

+ Instant Message to North Highland Assembly of God: About your sign promoting a Saturday night "60-Minute Search" - I found it. CBS shows "60 Minutes" on Sunday nights.

COMING SOON: I meet two "cutthroats" at a Columbus park....

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