FREMONT — The hard work of local and state leaders along with the commitment to invest back into the community was on full display on Wednesday as the Northern Wayne Library officially opened in Fremont.
The ceremony, attended by numerous local and state elected officials and other community leaders, fell fittingly in the middle of National Library Week.
“We’re charged as County Commissioners to provide services in an economical and efficient way,” said Wayne County Board of Commissioners Chairman Chris Gurley. “This building right here proves that the Northern Library is alive and well in Wayne County. We appreciate it and we thank ya’ll for that.”
The new 8,190-square-foot Northern Wayne library is located at 609 S. Wilson Street in a former Dollar General Building. It was made possible through a Library Services and Technology Act (LTSA) grant. The new library replaces the former Wayne County Public Library location on Main Street in Pikeville.
The Northern Wayne Library is open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday.
“Libraries are the backbone of our community,” said Wayne County District 1 Commissioner Barbara Aycock. “They are the hub of learning, imagination, and connected residents. Our public library does way more than checking out books.”
Wednesday also marked the public unveiling of the Wayne County Public Library’s new mobile library which was also made partly through a LTSA grant.
“When I was shown this facility for the first time I didn’t see the vision that Chris you saw,” said Donna Phillips, Director of the Wayne County Public Library. “I want to thank you all for having that vision, and thank you for your investment in our library services for all the citizens here in Northern Wayne County.”
