By Katheryn Huff Staff Writer
From the January 28, 2004 edition of The New Castle Record
Criag County Friends of the Library’s dream of having a library got a step closer to reality Friday when the U. S. congress approved an appropriation of $125, 000.
U.S. Representative Rick Boucher announced the funds Friday.
“The effort to open a public library in Craig County has been ongoing for approximately 52 years. Craig County is the only county in the Commonwealth of Virginia without a public library. I am extremely pleased that the U. S. Congress has agreed to my request to enable a public library to be opened for the first time,” Boucher said.
“(Creating a library) isn’t an easy task as it sounds and we get discouraged at times,” said Patty Day, president of the Craig County Friends of the Library.
“But this federal appropriation has given us renewed hope.”
A small portion of the money will be used to get their temporary home up and running as well as software automation and library cards, Day said.
The rest of the money will be used for the library’s permanent home at the Taylor Trailor Park in downtown New Castle.
Day said the group is waiting to hear from the county if the library will meet the criteria of economic development.
Since forming about 2 ½ years ago, the organization has collected private donations and organized fundraising drives to further their goal of constructing a public library. To date, the group has accumulated nearly $5,000 in private contributions for the Craig County Public Library project.
Right now, the Eans Building, the temporary home of the library, is being drywalled. With all of the renovations being done by volunteers, the group has had to be patient, Day said.
“It shouldn’t be too much longer,” she said.
“The library should be open in the spring.”
Day said the current project has been driven by the Craig County Friends of the Library, a group of people who’ve worked on the project for 2 ½ years.
The idea for a library isn’t a new one, Day added.
She said the county has wanted a library for the past 50 years but hasn’t been able to make it happen.
“We appreciate everything everyone has done to this point,” Day said.
“A lot f people have put forth effort,” she said.
Day said the group plans to keep the thrift shop open downtown for a while longer. Proceeds from the shop benefit the library.
“With the opening of a temporary library facility in Craig County, the Craig County Friends of the Library organization will become eligible to apply for many different types of federal, state and private funding which will enable the construction of a permanent library to become a reality,” Boucher concluded.
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-Prepared by Shelly Koon
From The New Castle Record archives
