On March 19, the new Rails Academic and Cultural Center (RACC) officially opened its doors, after a community ribbon cutting ceremony.

The grand reopening gave students, staff, and community members a chance to explore the newly renovated space, which had been used for other purposes for years.

“We are beyond excited to reopen our library doors,” said Middle School Principal John Awsumb. “This space has been thoughtfully redesigned to provide a welcoming environment where students can explore, create, and grow academically and culturally.”

The renovated library gives students new reading areas, work spaces, and of course plenty of new books.

Walls in the RACC are decorated with photos of local authors, posters featuring Rail athletes, as well as a mural, painted by someone familiar with the building.

“The inspiration for the theme in the entire library is a birch theme, so regional indigenous trees. The birch tree which means rebirth, it’s a spiritual healing,” said Barb Steen, a retired Proctor High Art Teacher.

She spent over 4 months on the mural by hand, often interacting with students who would come and watch her as she worked.

“I miss teaching a lot. I still do some volunteer work at our local elementary, but to work with those high school kids, it was just such a treat to talk to them. That meant a lot to me. And then they would just comment on technique and that kind of thing, and it was really a fun part of the mural making.”