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photo by Angie Long
Workers have already started clearing the land by the city and county’s library for a new open-air pavilion.
Groundbreaking for library’s new pavilion Jan. 25
Published Friday, January 15, 2010
It’s been several years in the making, but a dream addition to the grounds of the Greenville-Butler County Public Library is becoming a reality in 2010.
Groundbreaking for an open-air pavilion is set for 11:30 a.m. Monday, January 25.
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“We have this wonderful natural amphitheater we’ve always wanted to take advantage of, and now we can,” said head librarian, Burke McFerrin.
“We foresee this being used for concerts, plays, dances, parties, wedding receptions, reunions - most any type of event that can be held outside.”
McFerrin said the library board had been working and planning on the pavilion addition since 2004 when requests for funds were first made. Family emergencies put the plans on the back burner, “but things are fully back on track now.”
The project’s primary funding is coming from the Daniel Foundation of Alabama.
“We are so fortunate in this economy to have funding from a private foundation like this, because our local governments are cash strapped,” McFerrin said.
The 2,000-square-foot board-and-batten structure’s design will allow it to blend well into the architecture of the library and the adjacent elementary school buildings, she said.
According to McFerrin, the facility will have one central room; a warming kitchen for caterers and others bringing food (but not for cooking on site); large men’s and women’s restrooms, and storage, with the rest of the facility wide open to enjoy south Alabama’s typically temperate weather.
“We’ve also incorporate heavy-duty wiring to allow use by bands and photographers without concerns about blowing fuses,” McFerrin said.
The pavilion is set to be completed by late spring or early summer.
“I am really looking forward to it,” McFerrin said. “I think it will be a real plus for the community, an alternative many community and civic groups, government groups and private citizens will want to utilize.”
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Comments
Posted by everyman (anonymous) on January 15, 2010 at 7:40 p.m. (Suggest removal)
This is great! Greenville's library has come such a long way. I remember how small the old building was. The dedication of the board and Friends of the Library--all the Saturday festivals they used to hold in the park to raise funds--has graced this town with such a fine facility. It's great to see another facet that will benefit the community.
Posted by Elybesa (anonymous) on January 15, 2010 at 10:14 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Amen!!
Our library is one of the first things I point out to friends and family who visit Greenville. It's a wonderful facility. But, with pleasure, I still remember the library when it was located in the tiny little building on Cedar Street next to City Hall. It was one of my favorite retreats. As the saying goes, "You've come a long way, Baby."
Posted by cookingmom (anonymous) on January 16, 2010 at 8:35 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Double Amen!! Not only is our library beneficial to the people of Greenville and Butler County, but to people in the surrounding counties. I know of several people, including my mother, from Monroe County who use our library's Genealogy Department on a regular basis. Mrs. McFerrin is truly an important asset to our library .
Posted by joeblow (anonymous) on January 17, 2010 at 12:26 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I think the new library addition is going to be awesome. I think it will be very useful to continue or chilren's appreciation of books. Some of the buildings downtown are beautiful. I agree we need to keep some of them around but some are pure health hazards. I was in mo money taxes and there was mold on everything the floor, wall, and even growing on all the furniture it was so bad you could smell it in the air. The roof is falling down onto the sidewalk at the old sadle shop. Some of these buildings are a lawsuit waiting to happen. I think it would be more cost effecient to rmove the building and rebuild even if they were completely rebuilt to look like the originals. With today's modern building technology these buildings would last 4 times as long as there predecessors.
Posted by INI (Rob Mello) on January 17, 2010 at 12:52 a.m. (Suggest removal)
They need to stay open later so working folks can also have access when they need it.
Posted by BF2C1 (anonymous) on January 17, 2010 at 9:21 a.m. (Suggest removal)
The Greenville Butler County Public Library web site indicates that the card catalog is available online. When one tries to access this site nothing happpens. I have conplained about this for years. Either fix the problem or remove the link from the web page. Tired of being told that it will be online 'just any day now'.
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