Stephens County’s library deeded lots for expansion

The Stephens County Public Library could soon get a lot bigger.

At Tuesday’s Stephens County Board of Commissioners meeting, Stephens County Development Authority Executive Director Tim Martin came before the board to discuss existing and future goals of the library.

“You might know that your library has been around many years serving our community in wonderful ways,” Martin said. “They’re constricted right now, in terms of space, and after an assessment I’ve determined the library needs to be expanded by 6,300 feet or so. The best way to do that would be to extend it to the east, from where we’re located today, onto the existing parking area. It will still allow sufficient parking, for not only library patrons but also additional activities in the downtown area.”

In a letter addressed to the board of commissioners, the library has requested the county deed lots 5, 6, 7, and 8 to the library board of trustees.

According to Martin in order for the library to receive funding through the state, the library must own itself.

If funding is secured through the state, and the funding requirements met locally, the existing 11,000-square-foot building would be expanded by 6,000 square feet, and the parking lot would be extended to Sage Street.

Martin also stressed that the Library is not requesting any funding for the expansion from the county.

Vice Chair Dean Scarborough made a motion to deed the library the four lots under the stipulation that the library expansion will take place and funding is approved by the general assembly.

The deed will not be delivered if the project does not occur and if the project is abandoned or the general assembly fails to fund the project then the deed will revert back to the County.

The motion passed unanimously, 5-0.