Updated Floor Plan of the Headquarters Library
Building Committee Updates
Groundbreaking Celebration
The Groundbreaking Ceremony which took place on Saturday June 10 for the Kinston-Lenoir expansion and renovation was a tremendous success. The program began with the presentation of colors by Boy Scout Troop 585, followed by the National Anthem sung by Shillena Parks and Keisha Parks, and an invocation by Linda Solomon. Director of Libraries Agnes Ho expressed her gratitude for the outstanding support that the Library has received from the community in its quest to expand and renovate its Headquarters facility and welcomed guest speakers Mayor Buddy Ritch, Lenoir County Commissioner Chairman George Graham, Kinston-Lenoir County Library Board Chairman Allen Mewborn, and Friends of the Library Vice President Carol Southerland. Robert Jeffcott, Sarah Davis, and Jason Rogers were musical accompanists during Mrs. and Ms. Parks' patriotic renditions. After the ceremony, refreshments were served in the Adult Library where Robert Jeffcott again played trumpet and was joined by Walter Byrum on bass, Mort Stine on piano, and Earle Abernethy on drums. In the Children's Room, Bob the Builder greeted guests and refreshments and craft projects were offered for our young patrons. The Library thanks you for your support and invites you to follow the expansion and renovation by visiting often, either in person or on the website, www.neuselibrary.org.
February 13, 2006
Congratulations to The Building Enhancement Campaign Fundraising Raffle winner, Ms. Anita Tyndall, who won the Friends of the Library 7-Day Caribbean Cruise for Two or $2,500 Cash!
October 20, 2005
Library announces winner of Logo Design Contest is
Sean Moore of Grifton.
October 18, 2005
The Building committee and the Kinston-Lenoir County Library Board of Directors met on October 18, 2005, at 4 p.m., in the Schechter Auditorium, to review revised plans for the expansion and renovation project of the Kinston-Lenoir County Public Library. Members present were:
Agnes Ho – Director of Libraries
Mike Jarman – Lenoir County Manager
Allen Mewborn – Kinston-Lenoir County Library Board Chairman
Minnie Moultrie – Kinston-Lenoir County Library Board Member
Bill Moxley – Kinston-Lenoir County Library Board Member
Mike Parker – Friends of the Library Board President
Carol Southerland – Friends of the Library Vice President
Scott Stevens – City of Kinston Public Services Director
Also present, Tommy Hollowell, Assistant Lenoir County Manager.
After the meeting was called to order, architect Patrick Deaton of J. Hyatt Hammond, Inc. presented a revised floor plan that would be within the $2.1 million construction budget. To further reduce costs, the possibility of using gravel for the new parking lot rather than asphalt was also given consideration. After discussion, Mike Parker moved to approve the revised plan with stipulation that alternate bids be sought keeping two elements of the original design: 1) the covered front walkway; and, 2) the local history room. Carol Southerland seconded the motion and it was passed by unanimous voice vote.
Mr. Deaton will complete the development documents by the end of October and then will begin preparing the construction documentation.
The Building Committee met to review proposed plans for the expansion and renovation project of the Kinston-Lenoir County Public Library.
Architect Patrick Deaton presented proposed floor plans and elevated views, both exterior and interior, for the Committee’s consideration. Mr. Deaton reviewed the changes that had been made from the previous design to address the staff’s concerns and to improve functionality, and explained the design theories incorporated in the revised plans, such as the circulation desk having visual control of the auditorium and public restrooms and the computer lab located within the visual control of the information desk. Other changes that were noted were: the addition of an entrance from Queen Street; the removal of a hall with no exit or entrance at the end; newly designed restrooms; a new public conference room; a covered straight walkway (not curved as in the original plan) with bubble skylights; more narrow columns replacing the original heavier ones; and brick patterns on the exterior walls to increase vertical interest.
Mr. Deaton then reviewed the full site plan which will add thirty new parking spaces and relocate the outdoor sculpture that is now located in the courtyard and answered questions and concerns voiced by Committee members and others in attendance. A committee member reiterated the importance of the construction cost staying within the $2.1 million budget and Mr. Deaton stated that he should have the cost analysis completed by the end of September. After a brief discussion, a committee member moved to proceed with the plans as presented. The motion was seconded and it was passed by a unanimous vote.
In closing, Mrs. Ho reviewed the time table for the project and invited everyone to attend the final event that will be held in the existing courtyard, when on Sunday, September 25, Some Assembly Required will perform an outdoor concert.
Click here to see pictures from this meeting.
The Building Committee met to review proposed elevation drawings for the expansion and renovation project presented by Architect Patrick Deaton.
After reviewing the orientation of each view and discussing the designs, Mr. Deaton answered questions pertaining to design, roof pitch and longevity, window placement and proposed types of glass to be used for operating efficiency and vandalism protection. A Committee member also expressed concern about the frontage on Queen Street, stating how important the exterior design of the library is to the overall appearance of the downtown area. After discussion, it was agreed that Mr. Deaton would return in several weeks to present revised elevation designs to the Committee.
Once the design development phase is completed, the project will proceed to the construction document phase which is estimated to begin in August and be completed in October. The following step will be to seek construction bids.
Click here to see pictures from the meeting.
The Building Committee met to review schematic designs for the expansion and renovation project. Architect Patrick Deaton presented three different schematic designs for the Committee's consideration based on the following concepts:
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Closing the courtyard and extending the building to the existing parking lot
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Incorporating only part of the courtyard into the design
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Not closing the courtyard
After discussing the benefits and disadvantages of each plan, the Committee approved the plan closing the courtyard. Mr. Deaton will return in several weeks to present elevations to the Committee.
Click Here to see pictures of this meeting.
I am pleased to announce that this morning the Lenoir County Commissioners approved the resolution presented by Lenoir County Manager John Bauer, as recommended by the Architect Selection Committee, to award the contract for the architectural and engineering services for the expansion and renovation of the Kinston-Lenoir County Public Library to Patrick Deaton, AIA, NCARB, of J. Hyatt Hammond Associates, Inc. of Greensboro.
Agnes W. Ho, Director of Libraries
Current total square footage: 19,770
Proposed total square footage: 29,114
