Plans to build new library in progress

natasha@lafollettepress.com

Library Director Nancy Green is excited at the possibility of having a new library in as soon as two years.

“We are in desperate need of a new, modern library building,” Green said recently, announcing a meeting to discuss plans to build a library. “The population is continually growing and the library patronage is growing along with it.” 

Last Friday, a group of concerned citizens, members of the LaFollette City Council and two consultants from the Rural Library Project met to exchange ideas and make plans to build a new library.

“The present library is bursting at the seams and something must be done,” said Green.

In the beginning stages of building a library, possible sites and building plans were discussed.

Green said the site being considered was located in the parking lot behind the municipal building and library.

According to Green, the property is spacious enough to support a large public library, is already owned by the city and would help to revitalize the downtown area.

Clinch-Powell Regional Library Director Susan Simmons is currently investigating appropriate plans to accommodate the population of LaFollette.

The current library is about 1,300 square feet. According to state standards, the building needs to be closer to 6,000 square feet to accommodate the amount of people who use the library.

Green said about 120 to 150 people come into the library on a daily basis.

The city is considering a building of about 6,150 square feet, approximately five times the size of the current library.

“This is a start toward the building of a new library, which the public sorely needs,” said Green.

After 19 years of working in the library, Green said she is receiving more positive energy and support than ever before to build a new building.

“We are going to see this thing happen this time,” said Green. “And not in an old building, we are going to build a brand new one.”