Library forum planned

A public forum to discuss the proposed new 20,000-square-foot library facility will be held at the Alleghany County Library Sept. 7 at 6:30 p.m.

The library's architectural firm, Thomas H. Hughes Architecture of Winston-Salem, has estimated the project cost to be $2,760,900, $2,482,400 of which is for construction of the new 15,515 square foot building, including furniture fixtures and equipment. The building will be located on the site of the current library and will nearly triple the size of the existing location. Cost estimates note building costs of $160 per square foot, while additional costs include $125,000 for architectural fees, $3,500 in surveying and testing fees and $150,000 in contingency.

Plans for the proposed library include about 1,500 square foot of space for historical displays by the historical society and two public meeting rooms that can be separated from the main library by a locked door—one measuring 1,500 square feet that can be divided in half by a screen and another measuring about 350 square feet.

Restrooms and a kitchen area also would be located in that portion of the building. Other plans for the proposed library include separate areas for children and young adults, including a study room and three rooms for meeting with tutors. The plan would expand the library's parking to include 54 parking spaces, most of which will be located behind the library.

In June, the Alleghany County Board of Commissioners approved moving forward with a bond referendum to fund $2 million of the project cost, with the remainder to be raised through donations. The referendum will be on the ballot in November.

According to Librarian Debbie Brewer, members of the Alleghany County Historical Society will be on hand for the meeting from 6:30 p.m. until 8:30 p.m. to field questions. Refreshments will be available throughout the event.

A presentation of the library proposal — covering reasons why the library is needed —will begin shortly after 6:30 p.m, according to Brewer.

The presentation will also cover what the construction of the new library would cost taxpayers.

"A person with a $100,000 home would be paying between $25 and $30 per year to fund this for the library so we can move on with our building project," if the project is approved by voters, Brewer said. "That is probably less than they would pay to purchase a new book." Brewer urges the public to attend the meeting.

"We encourage everybody to come who has questions about what we're trying to do," Brewer said. "We'd like to ease people's minds, let them know what we're planning. This library's for every age group, every income bracket. It's everybody's library."

Brewer is quick to point out to members of the community that the recent increase in the county's tax rate is in no way connected with the funds that are needed to build a new library.

"The current tax increase was not put in place so that the library could build a building," Brewer said. "Our problem is, we're totally out of space here.

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