Visitors continue to pour into the new 24,000 square foot Public Library in Cabot. Since it reopened last month, the library staff has welcomed over 11,000 people through the doors of the new state of the art facility which features over 70,000 new items, including, a three-dimensional printer, 4 study rooms, 2 glass pods, a Gaming station, ten new computers and laptops with Windows 10, and much more.
The original library, built in 1998, on Grant Street, in Cabot, was 8,000 square feet. However, as the population in Cabot grew, so became the need for a larger space to house all the material coming into the library on a regular bases. The new library is three times the size of the original library.
Library Branch Manager, Tammie Evans, says she is hoping that number will continue to grow as the library continues to progress in its growth. “Because we’ve had such a great amount of participation with people coming in, our circulation has doubled since we’ve moved.”
The library was part of an estimated 40 million dollar city revitalization project for the city of Cabot, which also includes a new community center, sports complex and community pool. The new library cost an estimated 2.9 million dollars. Evans notes it took a little more than 15 months to complete the project and she is very pleased with the outcome and show of support from the community.
She adds that the community played a major role in the success of the library project because, “the people have been so generous and financially supportive.” However, because of the state budget cuts, Evans says, the library has lost over $30,000 in funding.
Evans, says she is looking forward to making a big difference with the library and the community, noting the many services that the library offers to the public.
Other services provided by the library include:
- Free WiFi
- Assistance with job applications
- Resumes
- GED Preparation
- Yoga classes
- Outdoor Amphitheater
- Book Clubs
Evans says being able to provide these services for free is what has helped the library stay rooted in the communities. “We’re not going anywhere, as long as we keep that mind frame.”
Evans says she would also like to see a programed started to help high school students prepare for their ACT’s. And she is looking into ways to be able to provide this service during the school year for free.
For more information about the Cabot Public Library visit: http://www.Ipregional.lib.ar.us