Characters in the books lined up on the new shelves of Penrose Library in downtown Colorado Springs would approve of the refurbished interior because their stories have a better chance of being read.

More than two months after the Pikes Peak Library District’s flagship branch closed for renovations, Penrose reopened Wednesday to a big party with food, live music, activities, and oohs and aahs over the changes.

The old, tall shelves have been turned into shorter, easy-to-reach units that allow more natural light into the main and lower levels. Combined with brightly colored fresh paint, matching new furniture and signage that together “really pop,” as patron Paul Chase described, there’s an open, airy look and a brighter feel.

“I think people will really notice a difference,” said Denise Abbott, Pikes Peak Library District’s chief communications officer. “It’s more energetic.”

In the first phase to modernize and make more safe the library that opened in 1968, users also will see added security cameras, reconfigured seating, more staff visible throughout keeping an eye on things and staff carrying radios to communicate more easily, Abbott said.

Hundreds of bookworms from picture-book-thumbing toddlers to dedicated adult readers to people who just want to hang out pushed through the doors at Wednesday afternoon’s public reopening, which coincided with the local observation of National Library Week.

Joanne Garrison, a sixth generation Manitou Springs native who now lives in Colorado Springs, said she wouldn’t have missed it for anything.

“It’s a special day,” the 92-year-old said, using her walker to maneuver around to find out how she could donate a book she brought with her.

Garrison likes many aspects of Penrose Library, which offers traditional books, videos, recording devices, a computer lab, meeting rooms, reading groups, copiers and other services and equipment. But the thing she said she most appreciates is that “it’s open to everyone.”

“They don’t discriminate and say, ‘You can’t come in.’ They even let me in,” she said, smiling.

Being located near a large soup kitchen and a park where people who are homeless congregate, Penrose Library also is sought out by people living on the streets or in shelters. In recent years, the library has provided space to store backpacks, bags with hygiene supplies, cellphone charging, fresh water and other amenities.

But the homeless community’s presence also has led to the need for the library district to increase security inside and out, to deter illegal overnight camping on its grounds and as Chief Librarian and CEO Teona Shainidze-Krebs said Wednesday, “To ensure this library is a safe place for all.”

Homeless people have a right to use the library, but not to the point that it’s abused, said library patron Angelo Palmieri, who claims Penrose as his neighborhood library.

“We hope this initiative will be a solution,” he said. “Otherwise, history will repeat itself. There are days we like to come here just for the sake of reading a newspaper, and sometimes that can feel a little sketchy. My hope is the library goes back to something that’s more balanced.”

Security incidents have increased over the past year, according to library officials. People have been cited for being disruptive, violating internet use, abusing library property, engaging in criminal activity on site, including drug use, not complying with staff direction, breaching terms of suspension, disrupting alarms and other problems.

Patrons who attended Wednesday’s reopening were pleased with what they saw and optimistic the changes will improve the environment. Debbie Frye said Penrose Library is one of her favorite places to go because she loves all the materials, such as DVDs and videos.

Paul Chase and his friend Victoria Jenkins said they like to relax at Penrose, meet new friends and look at educational materials.

Jenkins said she appreciates the friendly staff and that youth and teen sections are separated from adult books.

Penrose closed Feb. 1 for renovations.

“It’s been crazy without it,” she said. “Everybody’s been at home or at the park. It’s been lonely and boring without it open.”

Patron Jim Roth said he met the woman who would become his wife at Denver Public Library in 1978, and they’re still married.

“We love libraries,” he said. “We want to support libraries. They’re a special place.”

New Penrose Library director Takiyah Jemison, who has worked in different jobs for the library district since 2015, said it’s nice that employees now have a direct line-of-sight to see from one end of the main library section to the other. That also makes it look bigger, she said.

“We want to create a space that is not only safe but also functional so the community can enjoy the services the library offers,” Jemison said.

Improvements will continue throughout the year. Panic buttons for emergencies, a reconfigured computer lab, a new charging station for electronics to replace electrical outlets near seating, exterior boulders, fencing the perimeter and stairwells are to come.

Also, an adaptive technology lab will be installed by July 1, Abbott said.

That news to a patron named Cynthia, who uses a wheelchair, means “Christmas just came early,” she said.