Despite heavy rains at times, workers at the Tyrone-Snyder Public Library said a good number of people have walked through the doors since it opened Monday afternoon.
The original opening time of the library was scheduled for noon yesterday, but errors in out-of-town media reports forced library director Lynne Nearhoof to open the doors Monday afternoon.
“We’ve seen quite a few people so far,” said Judie Adams, assistant library director, yesterday afternoon. “Everyone seems to like what they see. It’s truly a beautiful facility.”
This week’s opening marked yet another chapter in the library’s deep, 81-year-history. Just a couple of years ago, those visiting the Logan Avenue facility could tell a new building should be in the future.
Members of the library’s board of directors began brainstorming ideas, and after realizing that costs to repair all the issues of the old facility would far exceed the cost of a new facility, decided to move ahead with fundraising and construction.
The building the library is now housed in is the former Jones building. It was purchased by Jeff Long, the local contractor who built the new facility, with the promise from the board that it would purchase the facility once complete.
It contains more than 7,500 usable square feet and has a nice sized parking lot at its rear. Inside, visitors are treated to a state-of-the-art facility, complete with a fully-functioning computer lab, children’s area with two computers, fiction and non-fiction shelving, an audio area memorializing former Tyrone Area High School band director Gerry Roberts, a periodical section, as well as a Tyrone History Room and room for conferences or meetings.
Chuck Banas, the library board’s vice-president, says he hopes the new facility will attract more people to the downtown, and in return, give a boost to the local economy.
Although the majority of the library is back together, Adams said they are still waiting on a few things to arrive, including childrens’ chairs and upholstered furniture.
A ribbon-cutting ceremony is scheduled for tomorrow afternoon, and according to Banas, a number of local and state dignitaries are scheduled to be in attendance.
Although the library is up and running, officials continue to drive for funding.
Last week, Banas announced the 699th and 700th ticket sale for The Vogues concert scheduled for Saturday evening at the Tyrone Area High School. Now, enough in proceeds have been made to pay mortgage payments on the new facility for 12 months.
Fundraising efforts will now go toward operational costs of the library. This year, the state cut nearly 50 percent in funding to local libraries.
