Because this is an important facility, the members of the New Library Committee developed this webpage to update residents on the status of the project. Announcements and documents relating to the new library will be posted here. Check back frequently for updates.

What?

Chatham County and Central Carolina Community College (CCCC) are building a joint-use library, Chatham Community Library, on the CCCC campus in Pittsboro. It will replace both the current CCCC branch library and the Pittsboro Memorial Library.

Where?

Near a new entrance to the CCCC campus off N.C. 87. Because land and infrastructure are already available, it  will benefit the county and its taxpayers to locate the library on community college property. In addition, a shared library facility will allow the county and CCCC to share staff resources and other operating costs.

Why a new library?

The size of the Pittsboro library has been below state standards for some time. The populations of both Chatham County and CCCC are growing rapidly. Because the service area of this library is so large, the new library will be substantially larger than the existing facility: 25,000 square feet versus 5,656 square feet.

What is special about this library?

• It will be the headquarters for the Chatham County Public Libraries.
• It will combine a CCCC branch and a Chatham County public library. We hope the facility will serve as a model for other joint-use libraries.
• It will provide library patrons throughout the county with easy access to materials from many sources.

Who is paying for it?

• The Chatham County Board of Commissioners has approved $8.1 million in funds for the new library. These funds have been borrowed from a bank. In 2006, county commissioners set aside four cents on the tax rate to fund all capital projects, including the library. Therefore, debt service for this project should not cause future tax increases. Click here to see the project budget. 
• CCCC has agreed to donate the land for this facility to the county, reducing costs for the project. 
• Because this will be a joint-use facility, the county and the college will share operating costs, including personnel. 
• The Friends of the Pittsboro Memorial Library have raised more than $600,000 for enhancements to the new library.
• This will be the county's first "green building" (LEED certified), which means that it will meet national standards for energy efficiency and environmentally-friendly constructions processes and materials.

What's going on now?

The county has entered into a contract with Barnhill Contracting Company to construct the new library. The project was bid in June 2009. Construction should begin sometime in August 2009 and be finished within one year.

County Commissioners has adopted "Chatham Community Library" as the new library's official name.

Cherry Huffman Architects (www.cherryhuffman.com), a Raleigh firm specializing in civic projects and sustainable buildings, is the project designer. View a floorplan of the building. View drawings of the exterior: view from NC 87; view from campus; view from new classroom building.

How do I provide input?

You may send your comments via e-mail to one of the following: Renee Paschal, project director;  Linda Clarke, library director; or Judy Butt, president of the Pittsboro Friends of the Library.

Who are we?

The members of the New Library Committee include:

• Dr. Karen Allen (Provost, CCCC Pittsboro Campus)
• Edith Calhoun (Chatham County Library Advisory Board)
• Linda Clarke (Chatham County Public Libraries Director)
• Judy Butt (President, Pittsboro Friends of the Library)
• Reece Jones (Pittsboro Friends of the Library)
• Renee Paschal (Assistant County Manager/Library Project Manager)
• Janice Pope (Dean of Library Services, CCCC)
  

Background Information:

• The Friends of the Pittsboro Memorial Library have surveyed more than 400 people on what they want to see in the new library. Click here to see a summary of the survey results. 
• The Chatham County Board of Commissioners and Central Carolina Community College Board of Trustees have approved a joint operations agreement that will govern how shared operations of the new library will be handled. Click here for a copy of the agreement. 
• The County hired Phillip K. Barton, library consultant, to develop a space needs study, a detailed description of spaces within the library (building program), and general design guidelines. Click here to review a copy of the space needs study. Click here to review a copy of the Building Program. Click here to review the general design guidelines. 
• Mr. Barton held a series of charettes (public input sessions) on the new library on July 20. Nearly 60 residents of the county participated in giving their ideas. Click here for a copy of the public feedback from the charettes. Check back soon to see how the New Library Committee will address the feedback.
  

Links to others:

Chatham County Public Libraries

Friends of the Pittsboro Memorial Library

(NOTE: Much of the content above was extracted with permission from the Friends of the Pittsboro Memorial Library Brochure)