MO library committee wants input on project
By Staff Reports
Published in News on September 13, 2009 2:00 AM
MOUNT OLIVE -- Public comments are being sought on a $3.5 million library project for the town that includes a grassroots campaign to raise up to $350,000.
The Steele Memorial Library Steering Committee has scheduled two public meetings for Tuesday, Sept. 22, at 1 p.m. and 7 p.m. at Mount Olive Town Hall, 114 E. James St.
The former Belk's building, located at 119 W. Main St., has been purchased by the county for $400,000 from Mount Olive College with the intention of converting it into a regional library for southern Wayne County.
Library officials said the library has outgrown its current 2,750-square-foot building on North Chestnut Street just a block north of the 23,000-square-foot former Belk's building.
Donations of $5,000 each from the Southern Bank and Mt. Olive Pickle Co. foundations were used to hire library consultant Phil Barton of Salisbury to assist with the initial design phase of the project. Barton will lead the community meetings.
The 30-member steering committee will assist in gathering input for the design of the new library. It will also launch the grassroots fundraising efforts.
The committee currently meets the first Tuesday of each month. For more information, contact committee chairman Lynn Williams at 581-3628 or Wayne County library director Jane Rustin at 735-1824.