The Jackson County Public Library received the Outstanding Facility Award for new libraries in North Carolina in the “large” category – more than 26,000 square feet in size. The award is given annually by the N.C. Public Libraries Directors Association.
Jackson County Librarian Dottie Brunette accepted the award Dec. 1 in Greensboro, where she presented a PowerPoint slideshow about the library during a showcase of NCPLDA awards given for facilities, programs, staff development and service innovation.
“This is about the highest you can go,” Brunette said. “I’m absolutely delighted and very, very proud for Jackson County and all the people who worked on the project. This is not something that happened with one or two people.”
Awards were given in small, medium and large categories for new libraries and for renovation, Smith said, adding that the Pack Library in Asheville received an award for renovation in the “large” category as well.
“It’s such an honor to have two libraries awarded in Western North Carolina,” she said.
The Jackson County Library was designed by McMillan Pazdan Smith Architecture, and Brantley Construction was the general contractor. The library opened June 7 and celebrated its grand opening June 11.
According to the NCPLDA, the award recognizes a number of features, including functionality of building, incorporation of new technologies, appealing interior design, well-designed furnishing and shelving, creativity in design, enhancement of surrounding environment, sympathy to existing architecture and appropriate use of space (in renovations), and cost ratio per square footage.
Brunette said they applied for the award in late August through an extensive application process that included a narrative of the library’s creation and specific questions about green space and innovative technologies at the library.
The Jackson County Public Library is a member of Fontana Regional Library, which connects the six public libraries in Jackson, Macon and Swain counties into a system of libraries.
“I would like to congratulate everyone who made this award possible,” said Karen Wallace, Fontana Regional Library director. “Jackson County government, Friends of the Jackson County Public Library in Sylva, library boards from Jackson County Public Library and Fontana Regional Library, dedicated volunteers from the community, generous donors from near and far, McMillan Pazdan Smith Architecture, and staff members from throughout Fontana Regional Library.”
Constructed at a cost of $7.19 million, the library complex pairs the renovated 1914 Courthouse with a new, two-story, 20,000-square-foot library addition. The Friends of the Library spearheaded a capital campaign that raised more than $1.8 million for furniture, fixtures, equipment and new collections.
Most library functions are in the addition, which is connected to the former Courthouse with a glass atrium that serves as the main entrance. Housed in the Courthouse wing are offices for the Jackson County Arts Council, Jackson County Genealogical Society and Jackson County Historical Association. The old building includes a large conference room, and the one-time courtroom has been turned into the Community Room, which can be used for a variety of public programs, including concerts, movies and plays.
