A former doctor’s office in Jonesville is to be the new home of the Jonesville Public Library.
JONESVILLE — A port-a-pit chicken fundraiser is planned for Sept. 11 to benefit the Jonesville Public Library. Tickets are $10 and include a 1/2 chicken, baked beans, bbq slaw, roll and dessert. Pick up will be from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at 112 N. Swaim St. Delivery available upon request to Jonesville and Elkin area.
The Friends of the Jonesville Public Library announced earlier this year that a location at 112 N. Swaim Street had been purchased to serve as the permanent location for the library. The library has operated from a rented location on Winston Road, after flooding and mold forced them to leave the previous library building.
Friends of the Jonesville Library chairperson Mendy Peles said their new location, former office of Dr. Chris Groner, was up for auction and Friends members attended the auction and won the bid. Work began to renovate the space on April 30.
“Since then we have taken down walls, taken up carpet, placed support headers, landscaped, moved door ways, repaired the roof, repaired the walls, repaired the floor and painted,” said Peles. “We have had the property surveyed and waiting to acquire adjoining property behind the building so at a later date we can expand the building. The new flooring should be installed this week or next and should start to remove the popcorn ceiling and repaint it in the next couple of weeks.
The group hopes to be all moved in ahead of the fundraiser.
“Our target date to have the building move in ready is September 11, also the date for our port a pit. Target date for the grand opening is October 1.”
Peles gave a brief presentation during the May meeting of the town council discussing plans for the new library location and showing pictures of work that has already been done to prepare the property inside and out.
“We’ve had several Friends members come out and do anything from landscaping to tearing down walls, pulling up carpet, doing inside work, just making the building ready for the library,” Peles said. “We are excited about it.”
Peles said the building is smaller than the current library location but there is the possibility for a future expansion.
Town Council Member Tracy Wall praised the work of the Friends group.
“I think y’all have done a great job. I’m really excited about it too,” said Wall.
Peles called it a perfect location as it is nearby to the school and children will be able to walk for field trips to the library as they once did at the old library location.
Volunteers who have been working on the space include Thompson, and Peles as well as Jim Peles, Koketta Brown, Heather Macy, Keith Macy, Blane Macy, Caroline Macy, Harold Cook, Wayne Webb, George Brown and Mercy Helms.
The Friends Group is always looking for like minded individuals and companies willing to join as a member, said Thompson.
“Our membership dues are $5 collected annually. Everyone is welcome to join and we have a need for new members. There is so much one can do to help and not just with money. Volunteers are needed year round to assist library staff during programs, planting and maintenance of flowers and mowing, seek out donations (supplies and money), cleaning and so much more. There is something for everyone to do,” Thompson said.
For more on the progress of the new Jonesville Public Library visit the Jonesville Public Library Facebook page, the Friends of the Library website at www.friendsofthejonesvillelibrary.com or email at FriendsofJonesvilleLibrary@gmail.com.
Kitsey Burns Harrison may be reached at 336-679-2341 or on Twitter and Instagram @RippleReporterK.