How it all began…
Barbara Allred
Where did we come from?
In 2014, Barbara Allred, a member of the Sandhills Regional LIbrary Advisory Board noted that of all the libraries in the system, Aberdeen's was grossly inadequate. She went to the Town Board and expressed that they needed to build a new library. The Town Board advised her to form a committee.
Hence, the Friends of the Aberdeen Library was born. Ken Byrd, who was then on the Planning Board, and later a Commissioner, took note, and offered to help. Together, they called a meeting of interested citizens and the process began. They contacted other libraries in the county, formed a non-profit corporation, and set a goal of acquiring property and building a new modern library. They sought endorsements and the support of our state legislators and began a series of fund raising projects.
In 2018, with the funds raised and a grant from the NC Department of Cultural Resources we purchased property near the business district and proceeded to remove an old house.
In May of 2021, we made another appeal to the Board of Commissioners, either to begin a capital project, or to help us rehabilitate an existing building. In early 2022, we were offered the building at 123 Exchange St, a 1912 warehouse constructed originally as the Aberdeen Wholesale Grocery Co. The building has been used for various purposes over the years, and was more recently the site of Railside Antiques. The town has budgeted some money to bring the building up to current code standards, and has charged us with the interior design and renovation.
As the building is in the Historic District, all exterior work will require the approval of the Historic Preservation Commission, as well as conform to current ADA standards. We have solicited help from the School of Information Technology and Library at the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, and are currently working with the Graduate School there.
This leaves us with the empty lot that we purchased, and have had cleared. It is just across the street from our recently acquired building, and it was decided to develop it into a "Reading Garden", a passive park.
Soon, we hope to approve a plan for landscaping which will include benches and a gazebo. Part of the land has been earmarked for a community garden. With this addition, this sector of town will form a cultural complex, as it includes the Artist's League of the Sandhills, right next door. Just across the street to the east, is a public playground which is soon to include a picnic shelter and restrooms.
A heartfelt thank you to Barbara Allred. Without her vision and drive, we wouldn’t be on the journey we are on today.
Thank you.
