Those who have driven past 507 South Main Street in very recent days will have noticed studs and walls now forming the shape of the new Todd County Public Library. Encompassing approximately 12,900 square feet at its completion anticipated in the spring of 2024, the new library, which has been made possible through a grant from the Kentucky Department for Libraries and Archives (KDLA), is a facility that will add much needed space for the Library patrons of Todd County. The KDLA grant, which will provide $212,150 yearly for the next 20 years, allows the Library to occupy its first new construction facility since its inception in the late 20th Century. Total cost for the construction is approximately $4.1 million, a figure just slightly higher than what was projected in the KDLA grant application. Contractor for the South Main Street project is C&C Contracting, LLC of Russellville. Architect for the project is Gary Violette of Violette Architecture / Interior Design of Clarksville.
One recent delay in construction occurred due to a state inspector having time to complete electrical inspections in numerous counties prior to Todd County’s inspection. Obviously, weather delays have also resulted with the recent rains hampering progress on the new facility. Concrete for the site was poured in late July, and with the pouring of the concrete, the structure is now taking shape with the first wall studs being in place on August 2. With sunny skies in very recent days, studs have now been enclosed with a “ZIP system®” adding more structure to the facility. The “ZIP System®” is described as a “revolutionary new approach to building enclosures.” According to their website, the “ZIP System® sheathing and tape streamlines the weatherization process with an integrated air and water-resistive barrier that delivers moisture and air protection in one easy-to-install system.” Noting again the impact of recent weather patterns, Gary Violette messaged, “Structural steel, wall, and partition framing are now substantially complete. Roof trusses are scheduled to be installed this week.”
Explaining she cannot wait for the public to become a part of the new endeavors for the Library, Mrs. Audrea Clairmont, Library Director, shared, “With all of our previous work being ground level and below, we are so excited the public can now see all of the work being completed each day. We can’t wait to get started in the first new building constructed for the Todd County Public Library.” Mrs. Tabitha Kirkman, an employee of the Library since November of 2008, messaged, “I will be so delighted to serve the members of the community in our new building. The benefits of a larger space are endless. I love seeing the construction progress because it is the fruition of a long-awaited dream.” Another employee of the Library since 2015, Ms. Alexis Williams, emailed, “I’m looking forward to the new technology and materials we will bring to Todd County citizens. We are so excited to share new things with our current patrons and also welcome new patrons to the Library.”
Those familiar with the history of the existing Library know it has been in existence since 1989 in a building of approximately 3300 square feet. Originally constructed during the 1960’s, the building served for several years as local doctors’ offices. In contrast, the new facility on South Main Street will provide for the public an estimated 9600 additional square feet under its roof, thus better meeting the recommended size requirements for libraries and better accommodating children, teens, and adults. In addition to expanded print collection space, the new Library will also add programming space for adults, teens, and children, a computer area, a family and local history room, storage space and workspaces, a small conference room, and quiet study areas. Following approval of the KDLA grant, the Library’s Board of Trustees received news late in 2021 the library had been approved for the KDLA Grant, thus allowing for debt retirement for the new construction. It is important to note The Public Library Facilities Construction Fund Grant Program was designed to improve local library facilities throughout the state.
Building construction committee meetings are occurring monthly, thus keeping the Todd County Library Board Trustees; the Todd County Library Building Committee; Gary Violette; Mrs. Charlotte Lyons, the Todd County Senior Citizens’ Center Director, and other interested parties abreast of the progress. Explaining her late mother, Mrs. Anise Warden, would be so grateful the work she started on is now becoming a reality, Mrs. Mitzi Warden Page, another current director for the Library, shared, “I am super excited for all the communities of Todd County as we watch this new Library taking shape. It is going to be such a welcoming addition to the county.” She also explained, “I am honored to be a current board member and watch this dream come to fruition that my mom, former Library Director, started the ground work on many years ago.”
All involved also express thanks to Kelvin and Lorie DeBerry, Brad and Mandy Shemwell, the late Guy Mallory, and the Guy Mallory family. The DeBerry and Shemwell families, partners in local real estate investments, sold the South Main Street property several years ago to the Library Board at a discounted price as the Board anticipated future construction. The late Guy Mallory and the Mallory family also donated, prior to Mr. Mallory’s death in 2018, an additional piece of land enlarging the new site to its current size. Other members of the Library Board include Heath Shemwell, Tiffany Groves, John Paul Leinbach, and CLW. Two members exiting the Board in the last few years after serving on the Board the maximum of eight straight years include Mrs. Susan Carroll and Mrs. Brittany Prather.
~ Article by Carolyn L. Wells
August 14, 2023
