THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Wednesday, January 17, 1996 TAG: 9601160107
SECTION: ISLE OF WIGHT CITIZEN PAGE: 02 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY JODY R. SNIDER, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: CARROLLTON LENGTH: Short : 45 lines
The campaign to raise $400,000 for the new Carrollton Library began in October, when more than 2,000 pledge letters were sent to local businesses and residents in Isle of Wight County.
But the response has been slow, says Ann Austin, financial campaign coordinator for Friends of the Carrollton Library.
``So far, cash gifts and pledges only total about $10,000,'' she said recently. ``With the government shutdown and the holidays, it's been hard times.''
The estimated cost to build the proposed library is $671,000. In 1995, the County Board earmarked $300,000 toward construction and provided and approved land near Carrollton Elementary School as the library's site.
The new library is designed to have 5,800 square feet and up to 20,000 books, compared to the existing library's 600 square feet and 6,000 books. Librarians also will be able to observe all aisles from a central reference desk.
The lease for the current facility was secured in 1984, with the help of the Carrollton Woman's and Ruritan clubs.
But Austin said the community has outgrown the small facility, and the lease for the building ends Oct. 1, 1997.
``We will have to be out of the building by then,'' she said.
An auction to raise more money is planned for spring, although Austin said no date has been set.
The library serves Carrollton and Benn's Church. Before 1984, the communities had been served by bookmobiles and the Smithfield Library.
Friends of the Carrollton Library meet at 7:30 p.m. the first Tuesday of each month at the Carrollton Ruritan Building on Norsworthy Drive, across from the Carrollton Post Office. Anyone interested in working on the library project are welcome to attend. MEMO: Donations can be sent to: Friends of Carrollton Library, P.O. Box 457,
Carrollton, Va. 23314. For more information, call 238-3455 or 238-2434.
by CNB