Ready reader
Expansion
complete
at Carroll County Library
Grand opening celebration planned for July 28
By
Helen E. McKinney
Contributing Writer
CARROLLTON, Ky. (July 2007) – Carroll County
Public Library Director Jarrett Boyd will breathe a little easier on
July 28. This is when the highly anticipated new library is scheduled
to re-open at 136 Court St. A ribbon-cutting ceremony is planned for
11 a.m.
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Photos
by Helen McKinney Library
Director Jarrett Boyd is |
Renovation of the facility have been in the works for
quite some time. Ground was broke on June 1, 2006, but the project has
been “slow moving due to some delays,” said Boyd.
The new library boasts 13,250 square feet of space, a vast improvement
over the former 6,000 square feet. The goal for the exterior design
was to “blend with the historic character of the courthouse square,”
said Boyd.
The handicap accessible building cost a total of $2 million to construct.
The architectural firm that designed the project was Brandstetter and
Carroll, with David Engineering and Construction Inc. providing the
labor.
On July 28, a continuous slide show of the library’s patrons over
the years will be available for viewing in the library’s spacious
new community room. Tours will be given, and light refreshments will
be available until the library closes at 5 p.m.
Other events include a noon performance by Derrick Dye, who studied
under the Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Baily Circus School. Dye
has made appearances on David Letterman and Oprah. The a capella group,
Northern Kentucky Brotherhood, is scheduled to sing at 1 p.m. At 2:30
p.m., Kevin Stonerock will provide a program of music and stories titled,
“Small Town Living.”
The first 500 customers will receive a canvas book bag. Children can
register for the new Harry Potter book.
The celebration will continue throughout the following week with a Hot
Wheels Drag Race on Aug. 4. A children’s movie will be shown for
children who bring the title and author of a book they have read over
the summer.
“This is something we’ve wanted to do for quite some time,”
said Boyd. Funding had to be in place before the project could proceed.
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Jarrett
Boyd
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A loan was financed for $1.5 million from the USDA Rural
Development. The Carroll County Public Library Foundation contributed
half a million dollars, and a construction grant was obtained from the
Kentucky Department of Libraries and Archives. This latter grant will
provide $64,000 for a 20-year period to repay the $1.5 million loan.
State Sen. Ernie Harris and State Rep. Rick Rand were instrumental in
getting $250,000 from the state legislature for this project, Boyd said.
The largest local donors were Carroll County Fiscal Court, North American
Stainless and Dow Corning, each contributing $100,000. There will be
special naming plaques throughout the building for donor recognition.
Amid cherry-stained trimming touches, tile and carpeted flooring, and
wheat colored walls, the building has all the amenities Boyd wanted
for a new library. For 50 cents a cup, patrons can get filtered fresh
coffee, cappuccino or hot chocolate. “It will be a great place
to gather in the mornings,” said Boyd.
Two rows of computers will be available, as will ample periodical, media
and stack space. A teen area, permanent art gallery space, and community
room complete with video conferencing, date projector and screen, and
wired for cable will be available to the public. The library has a large
collection of North American artifacts found in Carroll County, which
will be permanently displayed.
A local history and genealogy room looks out onto the Old Stone Jail
across the street. Several restrooms are conveniently placed within
the building, and surveillance cameras will keep an eye on everything.
Part of the building has been set aside for a children’s library,
complete with computers. An activity room is brightly colored with widows
looking into it so parents can keep an eye on their children. This space
was added because of the money from the Kentucky Legislature. Large
windows overlook a landscaped area complete with reading benches and
wrought iron fencing.
The library has extended its Monday through Thursday hours to 8 p.m.
Yoga will be offered three days a week in the community room. For more
information contact the Boyd at (502) 732-7020.