Published: September 11, 2008 07:29 pm      

Groundbreaking for Lawrence library Tuesday

LOUISA —

The Independent

LOUISA With all the books, shelves and supplies from inside the Lawrence County Library having been hauled to a temporary home at a former funeral home in downtown Louisa, library officials, patrons and politicians will gather for a groundbreaking ceremony Tuesday to kick off construction of a 6,000-square-foot renovation and addition project to better meet the community’s needs.

“It’s going to be great,” said library director Mary McGuire. “We’re just so happy to be able to get this. It is a major project for Lawrence County which will serve the community for years to come.”

McGuire said workers and volunteers “found things we never knew were there,” while systematically loading books and other library items which had been accumulating since the building was opened in 1967. The most surprising thing they discovered was a wedding dress believed to be from the late 1800s, McGuire said.

“There were no papers or anything with it. I would love to know more about it,” she added.

The library addition will house new computer technology and space for research materials sought by genealogy enthusiasts, along with increased meeting space for speakers or preschool programs. The work is expected to begin by Sept. 22, McGuire said, and be complete by next August. The library has received a 20-year $150,000 grant. The project is expected to cost about $3 million.

Citing an ever increasing number of library patrons, McGuire said genealogy research “has just bloomed” in recent years and the library most often serves out-of-town patrons who seek that information.

The library’s computers have also become a more important tool for local adults, as well as students who rely on the technology for school projects and homework. The number of people who use the library’s computers for Internet access has increased between 25 and 35 percent during the last two years, McGuire noted, adding computer classes at the library have also been popular for both adults and children.

Despite high temperatures during the recent move to the former Heston Funeral Home about three blocks from the library, McGuire said library staff now offer all programs and services which had been available. She also credited the efforts of volunteers who pitched in to transport the numerous loads of heavy materials between the buildings, counting 14 people who made the move in a three-week period.

Tuesday’s groundbreaking ceremony at the library in downtown Louisa will begin at 11 a.m. and include light refreshments. For more information, call (606) 638-4497.

TIM PRESTON can be reached at tpreston@dailyindependent.com or (606) 326-2651.