Blockbuster To Become Library

The vacated Blockbuster Video building in Eureka already has a night-drop slot—perfect for dropping off library books, right? Why is this so perfect? Well, a deal has been struck to temporarily move the into that vacant, but larger, building until a new, permanent library can be built in future years.

Eureka Mayor Kevin Coffey told Town Hall attendees Wednesday evening that the former video store building would be leased for five years.

The video store building is one mile west of the library's current location. The building, at 156 Eureka Towne Center, is 6,500 square feet and nearly twice the size of the current location, said Carolyn Parmer, head of the new library's grassroots effort referenced as The Eureka Project.

Eureka Hills is a branch of The St. Louis County Library system.

Recently, Eureka and St. Louis County Library representatives started discussing the possibility of the city’s proposed gift of land to the Library system for the new Eureka branch. The land, which is part of the future Eureka Recreation Center project, is located at 645 Eureka Rd.

Once an agreement about that permanent library location is finalized, a joint public announcement will be made by both entities, said Parmer in a news release today.

She said The Eureka Project members have been working since last fall to provide support and accelerate the timeframe of bringing a new library to Eureka. 

“The announcement of the move to a larger space, and the proposed location of the new library demonstrates the commitment of the Library to the needs of the community. The new space will bring a larger collection and more space for programs and other services,” said Parmer.

She said the project’s vision is for a new Eureka Library with a robust children's area, a teen center, genealogy and local history section, comprehensive adult collection and a technology center.

The move to the former video store is expected to be completed by this fall. 

Membership dues and other funds contributed to The Eureka Project are being held at the County Library Foundation in an account designated for the Eureka Library.