Newly renovated Lawrence library prepares for grand opening

Construction of a $3.5 million renovation project at the Lawrence County Public Library is wrapping up, with a grand opening scheduled Oct. 1. BSN photo/Tony Fyffe

By TONY FYFFE

BSN Editor

LOUISA — The carnival is coming to town to celebrate the grand opening of the newly renovated Lawrence County Public Library.Construction of the $3.5 million project is nearing completion, library director Carlie Pelfrey said, and a grand opening is scheduled for Oct. 1.The event will be a drive-through carnival that will include a stilt walker, fire performer, acrobatics and more, according to a release from the library.Balloon animals and treat bags will be given away, and a raffle winner will receive a Kindle Fire.“Due to COVID-19 restrictions, events will take place outside, rain or shine,” the release said. “Group tours of the building will be provided on a timed schedule with a limited number of participants in each group. Masks will be required for everyone over the age of five to enter the building and must be worn during tours.”The Oct. 1 grand opening will be from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the library, located at 102 W. Main Street.The library's Board of Trustees approved a feasibility study in November 2017 to provide a vision for the facility's future.Usage of the library's services have “dramatically increased in the last decade," the facility's website says.“We are fortunate to have outgrown the design of the current building,” the library’s website says. “That being said, after reviewing an architectural feasibility study in November 2017, the Board of Trustees learned that remodeling the interior of the building, as opposed to new construction, would solve many of the problems currently experienced (limited collection space, lack of adequate public meeting space, technology issues, limited storage space, safety issues, etc.).”The library announced the renovation project in July 2018, saying it would include updating the existing building to expand and improve public service areas, technology and “facilitate the rapid growth of library usage.“The renovation focuses heavily on the interior of the building with the only addition being an expansion of the children’s area.”A community reception was held in February 2019 to unveil the final renovation and expansion plans.A $3.5 million construction bid was awarded to Elliott Construction of Pikeville in March 2019, with work began soon after.The project was funded by revenue accrued by the library district, according to library officials.“Taxpayers will not see an increase in Library taxes due to the renovation,” a press release said. “In 2017–2018, the Board of Trustees chose to approve a tax rate lower than the compensating rate.”