News Details (Posted: January 5, 2010):

Friday, Jan 8th Grand Opening of new Orange County Public Library

Full Description:

10 am  137 W. Margaret Lane 

The ribbon cutting will follow welcoming remarks and comments from county and state officials, including the Chair of the Orange County Board of Commissioners, Valerie Foushee and North Carolina State Librarian, Mary Boone.   The Friends of the Orange County Public Library will also present a check for $20,000 that will be used to support the new facility. The public is invited and welcome to attend.  Light refreshments will be served after the ceremony.

The Grand Opening will feature an art exhibition, “The Other Side of Orange County” by local photographer Kent Corley and a poem by Friends of the Orange Library member, Max Preston.  Mr. Preston will also present a special children’s marionette program on Saturday, January 9 at 10:00 a.m. dedicated to the new library.

The Main Library will serve all residents of Orange County and provide cultural, social, and educational opportunities for all ages. The planning of a new library began nearly 10 years ago with the formation of the 2000 Library Task Force.  After many years of discussion, the ground breaking ceremony in April of 2008 demonstrated the strong cooperation between the Library, town and county officials and the greater community.

The 23,500 square foot building will feature over 16 public access computers, a dedicated teen center, a 90 person meeting room, a local history area and the capacity to hold over 80,000 items in the complete collection.  The first floor of the library is devoted to the library’s youngest patrons needs with an expanded collection, unique furniture and a special story time area.

“The new Main Library will provide excellent educational, recreational and cultural services, as well as being an asset for economic development and opportunity.  Our County Commissioners and citizens support has been critical to this project from beginning to end,” said Lucinda Munger, Orange County Library Director.