‘Sad little’ library getting makeover
The smell of fresh paint wafts through the air at the M.R. Dye Public Library in Horn Lake. County workers are laying carpet.
They will then move to repaving the parking lot and moving the circulation desk as a part of a $100,000 renovation project.
All of the work will be done after hours and without closing the library’s six-day-a-week operation. The facility is closed on Sundays.
“They are giving us a much-needed face lift,” said head branch librarian Jesse Pool. “We are pleased that somebody has taken notice and is addressing what needs to be addressed.”
In all, the DeSoto County Board of Supervisors is shelling out the funds for the heavily used library that averages 2,700 people visiting each week at 2885 Goodman.
Except when the Friends of the Library replaced the carpets in the meeting rooms and the work areas with tile about a decade ago, this is the first major renovation since the library added a second addition in 1994.
The library opened in 1979, has a collection of 45,000 books and materials, and is a part of the First Regional Library system.
So far, workers have replaced the sidewalks and improved the handicap ramp.
They plan to repave the 68-space parking lot in sections to give patrons a place to park during the renovation period.
Stained ceiling tiles will be removed. The wellworn gray wrinkled carpet that is being held together with masking tape in places will soon be gone in the 12,000-square-foot building.
“I’m thrilled,” said Carolyn Hobbs, president of the Friends of the Library and library trustee.
“The library, to me, is the center of the community.”
Hobbs said she didn’t know if the face lift will increase the library’s traffic but she added, “It’ll certainly make the traffic happier. Our library is probably the last to be funded for renovations.”
DeSoto board Supervisor Lee Caldwell of Nesbit pushed for the county funding.
“I am so glad to finally see it come to fruition,” she said. “It was a sad little building that needed a lot of attention.” Eddie Sides (right) of American Auctions calls out bids on cabinets during an sale of surplus Memphis City Schools equipment Saturday at the MCS Mallory Warehouse at 1384-A Farmville. Auction items included classroom and office furniture, a piano, a backhoe, vehicles and kitchen equipment such as appliances and a stainless steel sink.
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