New Digs

The Holy Cross Branch of the Dubuque County Library will be moving in the very near future.  The fire department built a new facility on Main Street.  As part of the building project, they planned for the City Clerk's office and the library to share their space.  They have a huge garage, handicapped accessible bathrooms, and a very nice meeting room  The front part of the building has been unfinished until this fall when the Holy Cross City Council approved funding for materials to finish the first floor.  There is lower level which someday we hope will be community and programming space.  Now work is underway.  The electrical is in and the drywall is going up.  Much of the labor is volunteer so I am grateful to everyone who is helping.

I am very excited about moving into this new facility.  The library will be located on Main St. right across the street from the Market.  We will have large windows and a lofty ceiling.  I have been working on finding cost effective furnishings so that the Library looks fresh, new, and professional when we open on Main Street.  Other staff members have been working on analyzing the collection.  They are weeding out old, tattered, and unused materials and ordering new books and DVDs and added copies of popular titles to fill the shelves. 

We don't have a timeline for moving in yet, but I will keep you posted on our progress.

Speaking of building projects, Asbury is moving forward with its plans for a new municipal complex.  They have a lovely site on Asbury Road next to the park.  The building will house the city offices, police, and the library.  The plan has almost double the space we currently have for our Asbury branch.  We are excited about having a large programming room which will also be used as the City Council chambers.  The setting for the building will be as an extension of the park with sidewalks leading to the park shelters and the playground.  We want the facility to be a destination for music concerts, farmer's markets, and community events.  Mayor Jim Adams is the driving force behind this project.  He has worked tirelessly to shape the plans and make it as cost efficient as possible.  Right now the Asbury building committee is searching for grant and donor opportunities in support of the project.  Again, no timeline yet, but I will keep you informed.

There are several events at the library next week.  On Monday beginning at 6:00 p.m. at our NICC/Peosta Branch, local historian John Preglar presents a program about Dubuque and its involvement in the Civil War.  Mr. Pregler will discuss Iowa's unique position leading up to and during the Civil War and will focus on the personal stories of Dubuque citizens who supported both the North and the South during the war.  He will tell the stories of major battles, Iowa regiments, and key Dubuque citizens who fought in the war.  

And on Wednesday evening beginning at 6:00 p.m. join John Urbain, Epworth resident, as he shares photographs of Alaska's beautiful landscape at the Epworth Branch Library. Deb Hagerty of Picture Perfect Portrait and Design will also be on hand to discuss tips for creating, storing and sharing vacation photos.

A one more thing, you might have heard that there is an election coming up.  It's been in all the papers.  Don't forget to vote!! 

Have a great weekend, Dawn.