Albertson to get new library
By Bonnie Edwards
Published in News on May 10, 2004 1:56 PM
ALBERTSON -- A new library is coming to the Albertson community where N.C. Highways 903 and 111 meet.
The Albertson Community Library Corporation formed a year ago to make it all happen. The library will be put in the Peary Davis home at the intersection across from the R-Mart, beside the fire station. The corporation has a goal of raising $160,000. So far, it has received about $60,000.
The group is planning a Jamboree and Stewfest to raise money from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m. on June 26 on the grounds of the new library. Various businesses will sponsor four-man cooking teams that compete for trophies. Each stew, described as anything that can be cooked in a pot, will be judged on product, cleanliness and showmanship.
One team has signed up to cook black-eyed peas and ham hocks. Another team will make chili.
Lunch at noon will include the stews, tacos and hot dogs. A $1 ticket buys a sample of each stew. Women at the Mormon Church are making a quilt to auction that day at 2 p.m. A Chevrolet Suburban will be given away. There will be a bake sale on the grounds. The group is also selling subscriptions to Our State Magazine to help raise the money needed.
The effort has gained support steadily over the last two years, said one of the leaders of the effort, Janice Grady. Her neighbor, Rose Jones, came up with the idea. They had worked together at B.F. Grady Elementary School as teachers.
It took about a year to elect a board and become incorporated. The group chose the name Northeast Duplin Communities Library to be inclusive and not restrict access to just Albertson.
Many Albertson residents go to libraries out of the county, said Mrs. Grady. Some go to Seven Springs and LaGrange. Some go to Mount Olive. The group is hoping the library will complement the school system and serve as a center for adult education. It will also serve at-risk students and provide them with access to computers.
"This house became available so conveniently," said Mrs. Grady of the Davis home.
Many members of the library board also serve on the Albertson Fox Hunt board. The hunt raises money for community projects, and the library will be one of those recipients.
Nearby churches are adding the library to their home missions. Some are taking up book donations.
Individuals and companies are also donating. Murphy-Brown company has given $10,000 over three years in honor of its employees and its contract growers.
Tri-County Electric Membership Corp. donated $2,500.
The group is also selling naming rights to the new library, for $50,000. You can also buy a room in honor of someone. Three of the library's six rooms have been designated already, said Mrs. Grady.
Murphy-Brown bought naming rights to the Reference Room. The Fireside Room has been sold to a family. The Heritage Room has been sold to a family business.
Charter members of the Friends of the Library will have their names placed on a Charter Member Tree for $500 donations.
Their names will be in a "memory book," which will be in a prominent place at the library. People can even buy naming rights to gardens or paved sidewalks outside the library.
Many have offered in-kind services, like Blake Waters, who has taken on the landscaping as his Eagle Scout project.
One of Mrs. Grady's former students, Mark Williams, has agreed to redo the electrical wiring.
An exterminator checked the house for termites and gave it a clean bill of health. An insurance company is providing the first year of coverage free.
Retired teacher Jeff Landen and community leader Sandra Lee are responsible for the renovations.
Wiley Cannady has agreed to refinish the floors. A building supply company has given materials for the sign in front of the library showing the progress that's being made raising money.
Mrs. Grady said they have a long way to go to reach the goal of $160,000 to buy the house, renovate it and buy the books.