Branch Librarian Debbie Brewer shelves a book in the non-fiction section while Lucy Roe of Sparta works on a computer. The tight space around that section is one of the many in the current facility.

New Building Needed?

Branch librarian Debbie Brewer of the Alleghany County Public Library says that there is one main reason why so many people in Alleghany County are pushing for a new library for the county.

More space is needed. In so many ways.

Brewer said that the library, which is located on Main Street in Sparta, currently encompasses a total of 5,548 square feet. And the estimated figure Brewer mentioned for what is needed at the library is a gross square footage of 15,887 square feet, and a net square footage of 11,121 square feet.

Brewer said that the "net" figure would include spaces used for the various library services, whereas the "gross" figure would include such "unassigned" areas as restrooms, hallways and closets — in other words, the whole physical facility. "Basically, we're looking at a figure of between 10,000 and 12,000 feet," she said. The estimated cost per square foot would be $100 or less.

Present with Brewer was area supervisor Joan Sherif, who helps oversee the 13 libraries in North Carolina"s Northwestern Regional Library System.

Brewer cited a number of reasons favoring the construction of a new library over adding on to the existing one. An architect with whom the library has worked has said that it would be more cost-effective, albeit more expensive, to build a new library rather than to add on to the existing one. Brewer also mentioned problems associated with the library"s load-bearing walls, as well as problems related to library officials being able to view all areas of the current library, for safety reasons, and also because patrons might need help.

The library was organized in 1935 by the Sparta Woman"s Club, with Ellen Parks as the first librarian. The library was set up in a little room over Cheek"s Cafe, with makeshift furniture given by friends and rent and books paid for by the Woman"s Club. In 1940, the library was moved to a small room in the courthouse where the rent was free.

Lola Womble, Marie Perry and Carrie Ham Askew were the next consecutive librarians. The library then was moved to a room in the new Community Building. Here, for the first time, the library had a desk, a reading table, chairs, a magazine rack and some book shelves, all provided by the Woman's Club.

The WPA helped the library during 1942-43, sending a bookmobile to the county for one week out of every three during 1942 for a period of five months.

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