Lewis County Public Library and Archives has officially begun an ambitious construction project to double the size of the existing facility for additions and improvements to benefit the Hohenwald/Lewis County community. The library support group, Friends of the Library, has committed to a multi-year plan to acquire funding.

Built in 1972, the current facility was designed to house 13,000 books and serve a county population of 6,000 residents. Now with over 28,000 books and 12,000 residents, the almost 50-year-old library requires more space and many renovations. A large storage area for historical county archive materials to preserve our county's history is a primary focus for this project. Technological and electrical improvements as well as ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) compliance throughout the building are needed. With many library programs and hosted events often attracting a large audience over the past several years, a meeting room for 100+ patrons would benefit the community as well.

With recommendations from the Tennessee State Library and Archives and with consideration of community input, TLM Associates, Inc. developed a floor plan that renovates the current building, increasing the square footage from 4,720 to 9,365. This addition, approved by the library board, includes multi-stall restrooms, a larger meeting room, climate-controlled storage area for all county archive materials, a patron viewing room for archive research, and improved parking. TLM has estimated the cost of construction at $950,000.

"We intend to raise the funds needed for the expansion without any direct burden on county taxpayers," says Friends of the Library President and Library Board Chair Glena Sikes. "They've estimated that it will be almost a million dollars to construct, so we hope to raise the money over the next two to three years with fundraisers, donations, and large grants."

Friends of the Library has established a special charity GoFundMe account to allow individual donations and to track all funds collected for the expansion project. Glena Sikes added, "Our lewislibraryfriends.com website gives links to our GoFundMe, Smile Amazon, and Kroger Community Rewards accounts for library supporters to easily contribute to this project."

The first major fundraiser hosted by Friends of the Library is an Online Silent Auction that will run from November 28th through December 12th. "Library supporters and local businesses have generously donated items and services to be auctioned off to the highest bidder," states Sikes. A special item up for bid is the library's 45-drawer oak "card catalog" cabinet. "We found where similar card catalogs have sold for over $2,000 – so it will be exciting to see what happens with ours!"

The Online Silent Auction is available through any smart device (phone or tablet) and computer with internet. Anyone interested in bidding for items at the Online Silent Auction may go to the Friends of the Library website, or visit Lewis County Public Library and Archives for computer assistance or free wi-fi access.

Friends of the Lewis County Public Library  is a non-profit, 501(c)(3) charitable group of volunteers formed to support Lewis County Public Library and Archives of Hohenwald, TN. Focused toward community development through library development, 'Friends' members are involved in fundraising activities, advocacy, volunteerism, public awareness campaigns, and literacy programs.

For more information about the library expansion project and how to contribute your support, please visit Lewis County Public Library and Archives at 15 Kyle Avenue, beside Lewis County Courthouse or call (931) 796-5365.