Public libraries are the place where our past, present and future meet. Nothing makes this clearer than the plans for the Jackson County Public Library Complex.

This ambitious project meets two major community goals. One is the creation of a 20,000 square foot new building, and the second is the renovation of our 6,000 sq. ft. historic courthouse connected to the new library. The combination of the two will provide our community with a 26,000-square-foot library complex, in comparison to our current, inadequate and outdated 6,400-square-foot space.

The space within the historic courthouse will be dedicated to public meeting space and include a 440 square foot conference room and a small catering kitchen. The courtroom will be converted into a large community room that will comfortably seat 175. The courthouse will also house offices for the Jackson County Historical Association, Jackson County Genealogical Society and Jackson County Arts Council.

Campaign Co-Chair Mary Otto Selzer unveils the latest architect renderings of the new complex at the August Courthouse/Library Tour.

The new building will house the library's circulation desk, book collections, computers, study rooms and periodicals. There will also be an expanded children’s area and, for the first time, a dedicated area for teenagers. Local teens at Smoky Mountain High School provided input for the design of their space. Click here for a slide show of the input session at the high school.

A glass atrium will provide a bridge to connect the two buildings and serve as the main entrance to the new complex. Because of the exquisite neoclassical design of the historic courthouse, the architect has carefully designed the new structure’s facade to “reflect the look of the courthouse by repeating its architectural language.” The new library footprint will not alter the existing view of the historic courthouse from Main Street.

Jackson County is growing and its library must grow with it. The expanded facility enables us to provide excellent library services with convenient access and to protect and utilize an historic architectural asset we hold dear. The new library complex requires new furniture, fixtures and equipment, which is projected to cost $1.5 million. In addition, the library will need additional funds to expand its collection of materials. We are committed to furnish the new library and expand the collection. This will endow our community with a public library we can be proud of for many years.