Hyrum anticipates library construction in 2005

By Kelli Dodgen

March 29, 2004 | HYRUM -- What once started out as a small basement library is now expanding to try to keep up with its current growth.

In 1989, the Hyrum City Library was started by Bessie Brown. Bessie took her own collection of books and increased the quantity of the library's books to 4,500 books. Today, that number has more then doubled, to over 45,000 books.

Ginny Tremayne, director of the Hyrum City Library for nine years, has seen the check-out of books go from 25 a day to over 2,000. With substantial growth, the Hyrum City Library is now looking forward to a new library and museum complex to serve the current community and future generations.

"We have outgrown our current library and would like to have more space for programs that we don't have room for," Tremayne said.

Due to the current lack of space the number of children allowed for story hour is limited and many library events are held at different locations. The library would also like to provide more services for children and families with the new building such as art shows and family reading nights.

"I am personally excited for the new library because I use it a lot for my children and I'm looking forward to a bigger building," said Karen Steinmetz, a resident of Hyrum.

Fund-raising for the project began in October, 1999. The funds are coming in strictly through donations. Fund-raising is continuing with newly-hired professionals known as Hodge-Kramer. The city now owns the property on which the new library and museum will be built.

The new library and museum complex will be located at the east end of the Main Street block between Center and 100 West and will cost approximately $4,300,000.

Tremayne has been amazed by how much the community has been involved with the construction of the new library. "This is not a project of the city or the mayor, but a community project," Tremayne said.

When the fund-raising began, 110 volunteers went to every home in Hyrum for donations. Sixty-five percent of the residents have donated to the new library. The contribution goal of the citizens of Hyrum is $800,000, which is 18.6 percent of the total projected cost.

The Hyrum City Library services Millville, Nibley, and Wellsville. Residents of Paradise, Avon, and Mendon use the library as well. The Hyrum Library is unique in that it does not turn away anyone that wants a library card from surrounding areas.

The goal for construction of the new complex is 2005. "The new library is a city effort that will be enjoyed by many generations to come," said Tremayne.

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