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Lisbon’s Lepper Public Library undergoes $3 million renovation
By D.A. WILKINSON
LISBON
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Lisbon's Lepper Public Library
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The blue vehicle is parked in front of the planned new entry at Lisbon's Lepper Public Library. The door and the overall expansion will match the original design to make the library look like an English country church.
A library originally built to resemble an English country church now will resemble a larger English country church.
The red-brick and stone Lepper Public Library created in 1897 at 303 E. Lincoln Way is undergoing a massive renovation.
Virginia Lepper wanted a library in the village with the English look as a memorial to her late husband, Charles.
The library receives much of its operation money from the state, which has cut funding because of the bad economy.
That has not deterred the library from its renovation plans, however, or curtailed the travels of the library’s bookmobile throughout much of Columbiana County. The bookmobile makes 53 stops in a three-week route.
Crews are working on the addition, which will be on the east side of the library.
“We expect to have substantial completion by Sept. 1,” said Nancy Simpson, librarian.
One of the library’s biggest problems is lack of space. The renovation project will help eliminate that problem and also include room for more computers and materials. The library now holds more than 70,000 volumes, says its website.
The entire project is expected to cost about $3 million. The library’s board decided to make the improvements the old-fashioned way — it saved $1.5 million for them.
“We’re an odd duck,” Simpson said. “We’re an association library. We have no taxing authority.”
Funding does include a U.S. Department of Agriculture low-interest loan for $227,000 along with a $75,000 state grant.
To help pay for the project, people may sponsor portions of the renovations.
The original steps that were hard for some to climb will remain. The new main entrance, however, will be accessible to those with physical disabilities. The library’s remodeled section is expected to be fully completed by Christmas, and the facility still will look like an English country church.