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Groundbreaking held for library expansion

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By LISA HOBBS Staff Reporter for the Southern Standard

Groundbreaking held for library expansion
Several visitors were present at the Magness Library groundbreaking ceremony held Wednesday. Pictured are, from left, Greg Parham, Rob Garner, Peter Metts, Ernest Smallman, Faith Holmgren, Bette Myers, Jean Marsh, Bill Zechman, Rachel Killebrew, Pat Bigbee, Mary Robbins, Marvin Lusk, Charles Nunley, Justin Walling, state Sen. Jerry Cooper, Mayor Royce Davenport and Steve Boyd.

Magness Library officials held a groundbreaking ceremony Wednesday to kick off a new two-story addition expected to be complete in six to eight months.

The $1 million expansion will add 4,000 square feet of space to the existing library. The added space will allow the addition of ADA-compliant restrooms and a much-needed elevator that will service all floors.

According to Charles ?Shot? Nunley, the expansion will also allow the library to add the books and services it doesn?t currently have the space to provide.

Change is something the library is used to, as its history spans almost 100 years. In that time, the library has gone through several changes including its name and location. As Nunley explained during his ceremony speech, the changes have all been for the better:

?The library started in 1913 as the Women?s Restroom and Library and it was located in the Northcutt Flats Building on the south side of the park. Then in about 1917 the building was sold and they moved to Walling Flats in the same location that the library is currently located. In 1919 it was renamed the Women?s Restroom and Soldiers Memorial Library. It remained as that until 1931 when Mr. Magness built Magness Memorial Library which was later renamed as the Magness Community House & Library.?

For those who missed the ceremony, Bill Zechman from WCPI public radio, 91.3 FM, will be airing a playback of the ceremony at 4:30 p.m. this afternoon.

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