POULSBO — North Kitsap Friends of the Library are helping local residents open new portals to adventure, romance, suspense, drama, history and art in Poulsbo.

The group donated about $8,000 to the Kitsap Regional Library here last week to hire Steve Wilson of Western Entrance Technology to install handicap accessible doors at the renovated building. The expanded site on Lincoln Road re-opened in January 2001, offering its numerous patrons more books, computers, artwork and amenities, but supporters did not have enough money to provide the specialized equipment needed for the doorways.

“We do things to help the library and this was one of the things they have really needed for a long time,” explained Ed Hakanson of the NK Friends, adding that lack of handicap access was a primary complaint he had heard about the revamped building. “There was some criticism when we opened that we didn’t have handicap doors.”

While Librarian Susan Lavin agreed with this assessment, she also pointed out that the additions would likely have larger ramifications in terms of helping people get into and out of the site.

When asked what the impact on patrons would be, she remarked, “It’s hard to say. It’s one of those things that you really don’t appreciate until you have it in place. They’re not just for wheelchairs but they’ll help the elderly, mothers with strollers and even people who are carrying heavy loads.”

For many this will mean they can check out even more books at the popular spot.

“This will be a tremendous improvement to the library,” Lavin said, assessing the work on Wednesday afternoon. “We’re so happy that the Friends of the Library stepped forward once again with their generosity to provide this.”