New library includes cafe, classrooms

With the cutting of a ribbon, a new page will turn in Columbia County's history Monday as the new library in Evans officially opens to the public.

The 51,000-square-foot facility, located at 710 North Belair Road next to the Evans Government Complex and behind the county justice center, is designed to accommodate growth through 2020.

"We're sending out special invitations to about 150 people that were certainly instrumental in helping the library along,'' said Barry Smith, Columbia County's director of community and leisure services. "It (the project) is just right on schedule, and we're just really excited that we're finally opening the doors to the public so they can enjoy the new facility.''

Monday's opening is set to begin at 10 a.m. with the ribbon cutting at the front lobby area.

"Everybody's rushing around, trying to make sure everything is ready," Columbia County Library Director Christina Rice said Wednesday, as workers put the finishing touches on minor construction details.

The two-story building, which also includes a 300-seat performing arts center and an outdoor amphitheater and memorial gardens to the side, was designed by firms Craig, Gaulden, Davis, of Greenville, S.C., and the Hinman Group, of Augusta.

Smith said the library took two years to construct.

The new facility has a capacity of 95,000 books for adults and 58,000 children's books, according to a county news release. It also will have a children's program room, meeting rooms and classrooms, a heritage room for area history and genealogical research, a Friends of the Library gift shop and The Footnotes Cafe, the release states.

Grand opening festivities for the new library are set to occur April 20 through May 7. That celebration will include book signings, jazz concerts, storytelling, puppet shows and a production of The Music Man, the release states.

Tickets for The Music Man can be obtained through www.tixonline.com or by calling (803) 278-4849.

Tickets cost $25 in advance and $30 at the door, with a 10 percent discount for senior citizens, students and Columbia County Arts Inc. members.

Anyone seeking more information about the library or other upcoming events should call the library at (706) 868-3353 or the county's Community and Leisure Services department at (706) 868-3484.