Avoyelles library HQ expansion seems meant to be

MARKSVILLE – Some things just seem destined to be -- overcoming whatever obstacle that may be thrown in the way.
One such thing must be the new main library headquarters, which is almost ready to move to the old Gulfco Building at 660 N. Main St. in Marksville.
Library System Director Theresa Thevenote could almost grow hoarse counting the blessings bestowed on the efforts to establish the new library headquarters.
First, the library system was able to obtain a $230,000 grant and use money it had squirrelled away for a rainy day, so there was no need to seek a new tax to fund the project. The total cost is approximately $600,000, she said.
“Most library projects require an extra tax for a bond issue,” she said. “We did it all through our own funding and a grant we got through the Police Jury’s efforts. We had saved money for just such an occasion, in the event something fell in our laps, and it did. That enabled us to do this at no additional cost to the public.”
Initially it appeared the second floor of the building might be inaccessible, or at best limited, because there was no elevator, Ms. Thevenote said. “We thought we would not be able to afford an elevator,” she said. Then, unexpectedly, the library found that there would be enough money for the elevator -- still without seeking any additional tax increase from the public. The elevator has been installed.
Another unexpected gift appeared when Livingston Parish contacted her and offered a large number of modular shelves. Livingston recently purchased new shelving and offered these shelves, free of charge, if Avoyelles could come pick them up. Ms. Thevenote addressed the Police Jury earlier this month and asked for its assistance in transporting the shelves from Livingston and in providing the skilled hands necessary to put the shelves together once they get here. Jurors said they would do whatever they could to help the library.
Ms. Thevenote said several volunteers have stepped forward to help deliver the shelves and construct them, thanks to the jurors efforts and support. She is currently trying to schedule a time when the volunteers can go to Livingston for the shelves. The new library may need to augment the Livingston shelves with some of its existing shelving. Any unused shelves will be put to good use.
One plan is to develop an “ongoing used book sale” of donated and discarded library books that would utilize some of the old shelves. The Friends of the Library organization has conducted book sales in the past to raise money for the library programs.
The impromptu book store would be located in the storage area of the new library. Ms. Thevenote said the new main library is about twice the size of the current library -- going from 4,500 sq.ft. to approximately 9,000 sq.ft. A lot of that extra space is on the second floor and will be used primarily for administrative purposes and storage space.
“At the current location we do not have enough room to organize our materials and supplies,” she said. “The new library will positively affect all of the branches by giving us that extra room for planning and organizing. For example, we will be able to send Toddler Program materials in bags to all of the branches. We could do that now, but we don’t have room for the supplies at this location. It will help in a lot of ways to allow us to provide more services and programs to the public.”
Another good use of the extra space will be to establish a “computer hospital” for equipment in need of repair or maintenance. Currently there is limited work space for Ms. Thevenote to make any needed repairs on equipment.
The Avoyelles Library System has branches in Marksville, Bunkie, Cottonport, Moreauville, Plaucheville, Simmesport and Mansura. The Mansura branch is also headquarters for the library’s van service, which serves Evergreen, Effie, Bordelonville, Fifth Ward and Hessmer.
“There is hardly any location in Avoyelles Parish that does not have access to the library service,” Ms. Thevenote said. The library system has approximately 80-90,000 books and can also try to locate hard-to-find books from other library systems.