From Campbell County: After nearly a decade of community fundraising and planning, the Campbell County Library system opens the doors to the new Timbrook Library at a ribbon-cutting ceremony and reception on Saturday, Jan. 9. A brief program is scheduled for 10 a.m., with a reception following and family activities planned throughout the day (until 5 p.m.). Special guest, award-winning poet and novelist Bunny Goodjohn (2014 Liam Rector First Prize for Poetry), will share from and sign her works. Compared to the former site, the new building offers 2,000 more square feet to hold library materials, an improved children’s area, tutoring and programming rooms, additional access to public computer terminals, and more public meeting spaces. It also aligns more closely with the American Planning Association’s standards for libraries in Campbell County’s population range.
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Construction of the new library began in April 2015 on the Timbrook Park property (at 18891 Leesville Road) and was master planned to serve as a multi-use resource for citizens, civic groups and families, providing both educational and recreation-based amenities in one location.
“We’re delighted to see this project come to fruition,” said Library Director, Nan Carmack,. “The Timbrook Library is one of the most used library branches in our system and was operating in one of the most constricted spaces. We’re pleased to open this new facility to better meet our citizens’ needs, now and for years to come.”
In 2015, the Timbrook Library served 50,322 citizens, loaned 50,264 items, and offered 65 community programs. It remains part of a collection-sharing service that allows library users to borrow and return materials seamlessly from any Campbell County, Bedford or Lynchburg library. The Timbrook Library is also the most active location for the Literacy Volunteers of Campbell County, who serve adult learners of basic literacy skills or English as a second language.
Since its formation, the Campbell County Library Foundation led the fundraising effort with the new building’s costs paid through private and corporate donations ($350,000), a federal grant ($500,000), and Campbell County’s reallocation of rent from the former Timbrook library branch location (Southwood Plaza) to the new site ($700,000).
“This facility is a community success story demonstrating what citizens, volunteers, businesses and government agencies can do when working collaboratively toward meeting a local need and a common goal,” said Carmack. “We’re so grateful for all the hard work, support, and determination everyone brought forth to make this happen.”
“I commend our library staff, the Library Foundation and the numerous volunteers who dedicated their time, talents and energy toward seeing this project through to completion. It’s an excellent example of dedicated local teamwork and I am very proud of their efforts,” said Campbell County Administrator, Frank Rogers.
The new library is open Monday, Wednesday and Friday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Tuesdays and Thursdays 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. and on Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.