LaFAYETTE, Ga. — Now that the Georgia governor has approved funding for renovations to the LaFayette library, the staff can begin a new chapter in the information center’s story.
“It’s basically starting over laying everything out,” said Lecia Eubanks, director of the Cherokee Regional Library, which covers the LaFayette branch.
The current plan will focus on technology and teens while adding 7,000 square feet and relocating the entrance so it no longer will open onto Duke Street.
“It’s going to be way worth it,” said LaFayette branch manager Tim York. “We’re just trying to provide a good place for the community.”
Gov. Sonny Perdue’s budget provided $2 million for reconfiguring the LaFayette building. A local match from Walker County and LaFayette’s special purpose local option sales tax put the total improvement budget at $4 million.
Federal stimulus money will kick in another $100,000 for new furniture, according to Ms. Eubanks.
The plans call for a new computer lab to replace the half-dozen terminals clustered together near the circulation desk. Ms. Eubanks also said the changes would place special emphasis on areas for teens and children.
“We’ve mae a little corner for (teens), but we need a much bigger area,” she said.
For the refurbishing, the library will have to close and relocate temporarily next spring, Ms. Eubanks said. She said the books, staff and computers probably would be displaced for about a year.
In the library Thursday, LaFayette resident Teresa McGavock said she would welcome new computers because sometimes she finds all the machines occupied when she walks to the library.
“Sometimes you have to wait,” Ms. McGavock said. “If you walk all the way up here, you really want a computer to be available.”
Laura Bistrek, of Rock Spring, Ga., knows the children’s section very well from browsing the books with her four children — Lillia, Camille, Tolan and Sam. She also knows “shushing” very well and said it would be great if the new children’s area was more closed in to deaden any noise from junior patrons.
“That would be awesome,” she said. “They’re naturally excited about reading and you don’t want to dampen their enthusiasm.”
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