(Carrollton, GA) The West Georgia Regional Library System (WGRLS) began site preparations this month for construction of a new regional office building, the first phase in the upcoming renovation of Neva Lomason Memorial Library. WGRLS supports 19member libraries in Carroll, Douglas, Haralson, Heard and Paulding counties.

Approximately 20 regional staff currently work out of the building housing Neva Lomason Memorial Library, located on the corner of Rome and Spring streets in Carrollton, GA.  The new 6,400 sq. ft. office building will be located on the same property, which is owned by the West Georgia Regional Library System Board of Trustees. The office, which is to be built for under $1 million, is funded by state and local monies. It is anticipated construction will be completed within a year.

Simultaneously, the Neva Lomason Memorial Library will undergo an expansion and renovation. That project is expected to go out to bid in early 2019. The 18,000 sq. ft. library will expand to include the 10,000 sq. ft. currently used by the WGRLS staff, enabling the library to provide more meeting and study space, more public computers, and more easily accessible collections. The original library was built in 1967 before being renovated in 1976 and 1993. Based on the number of items checked out and number of visitors, it is the second busiest library in the system.

Regional staff will be housed in temporary office space provided free of charge by the city of Carrollton. Regional staff provide member libraries with a variety of services: purchasing and processing materials that circulate to the public; purchasing, installing, and maintaining IT equipment; operating daily courier service between libraries to deliver materials customers have requested from other WGRLS libraries and from libraries across the state; providing extension services to public schools, which enables educators to request library materials to support curriculums; supplying STEAM education outreach to libraries and schools via a mobile makerspace; and providing marketing, budget, and human resources services.

This phase of the project is overseen by an administrator – WGRLS Director Jessica L. Everingham – and committee members: WGRLS Facilities & Construction Manager Lee Dollar, Carroll County Library Board Chairperson Shirley Vassy, newly elected County Commissioner and longstanding Construction Committee Chairman Clint Chance, and Carrollton City Manager Tim Grizzard.

 About West Georgia Regional Library System

West Georgia Regional Library System is a dynamic community-focused system that serves a population of almost half a million. The System spans the counties of Carroll, Douglas, Haralson, Heard, and Paulding, offering premier library service for 19 member libraries.

Written by Terri Tresp, Brand Strategy Manager, West Georgia Regional Library System