COLUMBIANA Library will hire architect

By NANCY TULLIS
VINDICATOR SALEM BUREAU
COLUMBIANA -- Columbiana Public Library officials are seeking an architect for a $1 million expansion.
The library board is now advertising for architects and will consider the applicants at the Aug. 8 board meeting, said Carol Cobbs, library director.
Library officials plan to construct a one-story, 5,000-square-foot addition to the 10-year-old library at 332 N. Middle St. The plan also includes renovation of the existing building.
Location: Cobbs said the addition will likely be to the east side of the building, on property the library already owns. She said library officials hope construction will begin this fall.
Voters approved a $1 million bond issue May 9 to fund construction of the addition. The board would then use the library's own funds for renovations, she said.
Cobbs said the addition is needed because there is no more room in the existing facility. She said the library has some patrons who use wheelchairs and if more shelves were added their maneuvering space would be reduced.
Library officials will celebrate the library's 10th anniversary with an open house Aug. 25.
She said more than 350 people visit the library daily, and since the library was built, computers have replaced card catalogs, the library's collection increased 50 percent, its circulation increased 70 percent, and patron attendance doubled.
tullis@vindy.com