Go to the homepage for the Sylva Herald and Ruralite

Herald's history series:

Public library moved to current location in 1970
For the past few years, county commissioners have been debating what to do about needed expansion of the Jackson County Public Library in Sylva. The Oct. 15, 1970, edition of The Sylva Herald contained the following account when the library was preparing to move into its current location on West Main Street:

After 40 years of being in various locations, the Jackson County Public Library will move into permanent quarters beginning next week.

The modern library building, constructed and equipped at a cost of $186,320, will get a big boost in the number of volumes of books on hand from the Fontana Regional Library.

Mrs. Grace Beck, librarian, said that plans call for moving to begin Monday. The Fontana Regional Bookmobile will be used, and several clubs have volunteered services of members to assist with the work.

The library will be closed all of next week due to the moving, she said. Library hours at the new facility on Main Street are to be announced.

Contracts for constructing the building were awarded in the spring of 1969. Contracts for furnishings and equipment were awarded last May. A delay in shipment of equipment to Sylva from suppliers to the contractor have delayed installation. The installation work was being completed Tuesday.

The library (originally Sylva Library) first opened in April 1928. The library has some 9,000 volumes, about the capacity of the location at 67 East Main St. With additional shelves and room at the new facility, the Regional Library will provide many more books.

The $186,320 costs included site acquisition, building construction and furnishing and equipment. The county received a $60,000 grant from the Appalachian Development Commission for the project and a $68,000 grant through the Library Services Construction Act. In addition, the Town of Sylva, has contributed $5,000, and First Union National Bank $1,000. County funds included $20,000 approved in a 1967 bond issue.

Work was in progress on completing some grading work around the new library building. The parking lot, eventually to be paved, will be graveled initially.

Mrs. W.B. Dillard is chairman of the Library Board. Board members are W.J. Fisher, Mrs. Wilma Jones, Andrew Wilson, Don Morgan and George Sloan. Editor's note:This is the weekly installment of a review of our back issues as the Sylva Herald and Ruralite celebrates its 75th anniversary throughout 2001.

Back to Archive: 09/27/01.