MAPLEWOOD, Mo. - After undergoing major renovations, the Maplewood Public Library opened its doors on Thursday. 

Being established in 1935, the Maplewood Public Library is one of the oldest in the St. Louis area. 

This $3 million upgrade will offer the library new focus rooms, a reconfigured all-gender restroom, upgraded security systems and a bike repair system. 

It took about a year and a half to finally reopen the historic library, as the building needed to be waterproof.

“Our building is historic and it was originally a pool house, so whenever it was originally built, they didn’t care if water got in,” said Ashley Bryant, who serves as the director at Maplewood Library. “(But now) as a library, we very much care if water is getting in.”

The Maplewood Library is still undergoing some forms of re-construction, but for those interested in learning about the renovation project, visit here.