New Yancey County Library Grand OpeningA dream came true for many Yancey County residents on July 24th, 2011. It was on this day that the new Yancey County Library became a reality. After more than a decade of hard work and determination by a dedicated group of volunteers, state and local governments, and private donors the Yancey County Library opened its doors to the public for the first time at a grand opening ceremony held on July 24th. With the opening of the new library Yancey County has one of the most modern libraries in the state. In addition, thanks to the State Employees Credit Union Foundation the library has a new "Technology Gateway" that makes technology available to every resident of Yancey County and also makes the Yancey County Library one of the most technologically advanced in the state.
The new library was made possible by a number of public and private grants but the final piece of the funding came with the signing of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) in 2009 by President Obama. When then commissioners Walter Savage, Jerri Storie, and Johnny Riddle saw the opportunity presented by the ARRA funds to finish the library, at no additional costs to the budget, they jumped at the chance. With their vision and continued support by the current Yancey County Board of Commissioners the library will provide a modern, technologically rich place for the citizens of Yancey County well into the 21st Century.
(Left to Right): Mrs. Melanie Stallings, Yancey County Librarian; Mr. Barney Woodard, Architect; Theresa Coletta, Library Project Director; Mrs. Doris Hunter, Widow of Library Steering Committee member Mr. Ed Hunter; Lynne Hensley, Yancey County Finance Director and Library Steering Committee Member; Dr. Daniel Barron, Director of AMY Regional Library System; Mr. Nathan Bennett, Yancey County Manager |
The new library is housed in the former administration building of the Yancey Collegiate Institute (YCI) and was later used by the public schools for Burnsville High School and eventually Burnsville Elementary School. As one speaker described it, "If this building were a cat it would be on its fourth life." A number of noted speakers including Author Gloria Houston and North Carolina State Librarian Mary Boone joined the more than 250 attendees to help celebrate the opening of a new chapter in Yancey County's history.