No doubt about it: “The library was so overwhelmed,” stated Diana Rosapepe, director of library services, concerning the current Roanoke County Headquarters/419 Library. Forty years after it was dedicated, that building will be phased out for a new, updated facility on Merriman Road in Southwest Roanoke County, across from Penn Forest Elementary School. A groundbreaking was held on Tuesday (October 27th), with construction slated to start soon.
The innovative $9 million dollar structure will feature 54,000 square feet, including a 5,000 square foot auditorium. There will be a roundabout built on Merriman Road at the intersection of Meadowlark to reduce traffic disruptions. Roadwork will continue through September 2010.
The projected completion of the South County Library is scheduled for July 2011. Once budgeted at $15 million and then redesigned to save money, pricing came down with construction crews looking for work, making it a buyer’s market.
Rosapepe spoke vividly about the problems with the current 419 location. “You won’t have to stalk the cars and circle the parking lot to find a parking space,” she laughed. She also explained amenities that will be found at the Merriman Road library. The first floor will house popular books, DVDs and other typical library materials.
Children will be catered to with a story time room, their own computer station and books. A bookstore and café will also be a part of the new full service library. The most innovative addition may be a drive-thru window where books can be dropped off or picked up.
The second floor will hold reference materials, adult and young adult collections, a copy center, research desk, projection screen, computers, group study locations and a conference room.
However, one of the great aspects of the new library is actually outside — the location is adjacent to federally protected wetlands. A serene landscape will include a raised walking trail, linking the site to nearby parks and athletic fields. The trail (to be built by Roanoke County parks and recreation) will be dotted with informational signs depicting the local ecosystem.
The wetlands will also serve as an outdoor educational exhibit. Said Cave Spring supervisor, Charlotte Moore, of the outdoor space, “there will be hands-on education to observe while walking on the grounds.” The library building will be built with recycled materials where possible. Fellow supervisors Mike Altizer, Joe McNamara and Butch Church also manned shovels at the groundbreaking, as did several of Rosapepe’s grandchildren.
The new South County library will be an extension of the service that the Roanoke County library system has offered for the past 60 years. Over 400,000 visits are made each year, with an annual circulation of more than 500,000 items. The new facility, featuring a coffee house and auditorium that can be used when the library is closed, is also designed to be a community gathering place.
By Alice Shook [email protected]