
BCLS may be not be the most populated place, or the wealthiest place in Texas, but that isn't stopping some people from setting their sites on better libraries for their communities. Terri Blackwell, Mack Skinner and I spent Monday in Haskell (pop. 2,729) pulling computer cable in the new Haskell County Library still under construction. The new library, a longtime dream of Joan Frazier, Library Director, is the result of constant and aggressive grant writing. The new Haskell County Library will include dedicated space for Children's collections, Genealogy, a Conference/Meeting Room, and the Fields Reading Room, which will incorporate items from the Fields Museum and features a wall build of bricks from the old library. Joan hopes for an opening date before summer.
At the other end of BCLS, the tiny town of Mertzon (pop. 860) is planning a new library of its own. Irion County Library currently shares space with the County museum. Library Director T. Kae Hampton is working with the County Commissioners to make a new 2800 square foot library a reality (The current shared space is 2100 sf). The County is reviewing construction bids and pursuing grant opportunities.
Other new and renovated libraries in BCLS include:
The new Menard Public Library opened in 2006, replacing the old library which had been housed (literally) in a house. The community bought and paid for the new library with donations, fund-raising, and grants. Menard has a population of 1,545.
In Coleman (pop. 4,874), the Coleman Public Library has expanded to include a new Children's area.
In Cross Plains (pop. 1,112), the Cross Plains Public Library is nearing completion on its expansion project. The expansion will feature an area for Children's collections and a board room.
The Tom Green County Library in San Angelo (pop. 88,300) is in the early stages of renovating the former Hemphill Wells Department Store into an 85,000 sf library. The existing central library occupies 25,000 sf.
Labels: construction, libraries