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aturday was the official ground breaking for a new Pamlico County Public Library.

The County’s Library has shared space with Pamlico High School for many years, but a need for more room – for both institutions – sent The Friends of Pamlico County Library on a hunt for the library’s new home.

After dignitaries officially broke ground for the new library, 4 year-old David Hopkins from Alliance and a group of his peers were invited to take turns with the ceremonial shovel. (Ben Casey Photo)

It arrived as an abandoned fast food restaurant – a Hardee’s building – a few miles down the road from the High School.

So in 2019, with the Hardee’s Building acquired, the Friends of Pamlico County Library began their fundraising efforts. The final number needed? Between $2.2 and $2.6 million.

The former Hardees in Alliance, pictured in the background, will become part of the footprint for the new Pamlico County Public Library. (Ben Casey Photo)

It’s taken five years to raise the funds, but the Friends have raised enough to award the construction bid – around $2.2 million.

Sidney J. Phibbons, Pamlico County Public Library Branch Manager, turned the first spade in the ceremony. (Cindy Casey Photo)

The plan for the future library.

A Ground Breaking Ceremony was held Saturday, February 17 on site.

Over 50 community members attended, as did State Senator Norm Sanderson, Craven-Pamlico County Regional Library Director Kat Clowers, and the library’s current staff.

Kat Clowers, Regional Director of the Craven-Pamlico Library, takes the podium. (Ben Casey Photo)

Bonnie Cap, President of the Friends of the Pamlico County Public Library, welcomed the audience of about 80 and thanked them for their support. (Ben Casey Photo)

The future Pamlico County Library is over 10,000 square feet – big enough to house a collection of over 36,000 books, maps, recordings and more media. There’s space for study rooms, meeting rooms, an internet café, and a business center.

The construction contract says the building must be completed within a year – a timely thing, as the library has less than two years until they must vacate their current space at the high school.

Peering through the dining room of the former hamburger restaurant as the public assembled for the groundbreaking, one bystander quipped, “Think we’ll hear, ‘Want fries with that book you checked out?’” (Cindy Casey Photo)

Posted Wednesday February 21, 2024 by Keith N. Smith