Ozark-Dale County Library one step closer to having new place to call home

DOTHAN, Ala. (WTVY) - As one door closes, another door is opening for the Ozark-Dale County Library. From empty shelves to leaking ceilings, library board members knew it was time to bring back the discussion of options for what would be next.

“This started actually back in 2012 when the library board at the time was considering the repairs and the maintenance that it was needed here and possible renovations,” said Christina Faulkner - Ozark-Dale County Library Board Secretary.

After years of discussion and money talk, of costs soaring into numbers that could not be met just through fundraising.

“The first that they looked at was the roof because that was the major issue that was happening and the cost to do the roof was astronomical for the library the low end bid that they received was 233,000 dollars plus and the high end was 248,000 plus,” said Faulkner.

The library board came to the conclusion that asking for the donation of a building was the best option. Seeing the new location as a opportunity for growth.

“With a new building with the option of remodeling it through our specifications we can create a little children’s area that is more appealing we can create a young adult area that’s more appealing to our young adults it just gives us more options in the design of the library then what we have currently here,” said Faulkner.

Mayor Mark Blankenship has backed this project since it’s beginning. He believes this is not only a plus to the library but the city as well.

“Well I just think having it downtown more centrally located the kids come in here they are more closer to the ballfields they are closer to the tennis courts when people are coming in and out of here they are closer to the businesses in the shopping center if somebody stops here to do something in the library they’re right next to the grocery store here we just think it is a boost from the economic stand point as well,” said Mark Blankenship - City of Ozark Mayor.

This building’s location will provide many opportunities for growth and more access to community members.

“When we have Claybank festival we will be right there where we can bring people down to the library our events that we hold the same time as the Claybank and Crawdad like our book sales and plant sales and things like that that help us raise money for the library also we will be walking distance from the high school and da smith we will be right down the road from the park so the students the young people that we would like to bring into the library will have better access,” said Faulkner.

The library board will meet January 13th at 9AM to discuss the next steps in their plans for the new building.

If you would like to help out the Ozark-Dale County Library, they are always accepting donations. You can do so by visiting their website or just bring them to the library.

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