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or decades, the Pamlico County Public Library shared space with the Pamlico County High School Library. Two libraries, one building.

In a small county, it made fiscal sense.

The Pamlico County Public Library, in a building of it’s own.

Pamlico County High School – the former home of the Pamlico County Public Library.

But in 2017, the high school needed more space for students. The County Library – already tightly packed in – had to cede their borrowed space to the needs of the school.

Both institutions were in need of more room, and the matter became urgent.

Enter the non-profit organization the Friends of the Pamlico County Public Library. The group had long supported the mission of the library (as is the purpose of Friends of the Library groups), but they now had a new focus: find their beloved library a permanent home.

The entry way into the new Library building.

The perfect place was found: an abandoned fast food restaurant. The Hardee’s building on Highway 55 was in walking distance from the high school, still centrally located in the county, and had room for expansion.

The lot and building were purchased in 2019, and plans to build and fundraise were set in motion.

The old Hardee’s building that would become a library.

Construction costs were estimated at $2.2 – $2.6 million dollars. Funds came in as grants, private donations, and local fundraising. The largest chunk – approximately $1.8 million – came from state funding.

The final total cost of the building was $2,276,173.

The teen library sits to the right of the main entrance.

The children’s classroom.

“This library was built without using any county funding and is designed to be self-sufficient by utilizing the funds already allocated for its annual operations,” said Branch manager Sidney Phibbons, “ensuring it does not incur any additional costs for our county.”

This June, Pamlico County residents were welcomed into their new library with a grand opening celebration.

The children’s library.

Green spaces at the side of the library.

Speakers like Library Regional Director Kat Clowers and Friends of the Library President Bonnie Cap thanked the volunteers and donrs. The Gospel Ensemble (and friends) sang. Deacon Carmen of Greenhill Missionary Baptist Church delivered the prayer of dedication.

Speakers, music, and a ribbon cutting ceremony: all part of the grand opening celebration.

Then the crowd was set free to explore their new library.

Inside are dedicated spaces for children, teens, and adults. There are quiet rooms for study, and a dedicated business center space.

A donation tree in the back hall lists the library’s many donors.

Outside are two large, fenced green spaces. There are plans for teaching gardens for children and adults. But more importantly, there is room to grow.

The Pamlico County Public Library is located at 13896 Highway 55 in Bayboro. Open Monday through Thursday, 9a – 6p, Fridays until 7p, and Saturday from 10a – 2p.

Related Links

• Groundbreaking: A New Library is Coming
  
• A Library Building By The Numbers
  
• An Unlikely Site
  
• A Tale of Two Libraries
  
• The Friends of the Pamlico County Library
• Friends of the Pamlico County Library Annual Report

Posted Wednesday June 25, 2025 by Allison DeWeese