Georgia's Fiscal Year 2022 budget includes some much-needed help for the Town of Braselton's library.
The Braselton Public Library opened in its current building in 2006, but since that time the Town of Braselton has tripled in size, far outgrowing the space.
According to Town Manager Jennifer Scott, the state budget includes $1.73 million in 20-year bonds, which will help pay for an 8,000-square-foot, two-story addition. The Town of Braselton will also pay a portion of the expansion cost. The state appropriation allows for design, construction and equipping of the expansion project.
Scott said the expansion, which will connect to the current building on the west side, will allow for more circulation materials and programming. The plan is to expand offerings in all areas, from children's materials to young adult and adult titles. Additional parking is also part of the project plan.
"We have so many people to thank, including [House] Appropriations Chairman Terry England, [House] Appropriations Subcommittee Chair David Knight, State Rep. Tommy Benton, State Sen. Frank Ginn and others who realized and advocated for our need," said Scott. "The Piedmont Regional Library System played a critical role representing the project to the Georgia Library System. As always, the General Assembly did a thorough review of all requests in the state and approved the most needed projects.”
Scott said it may be as long as a year before construction can begin on the addition, since design plans must be completed first.
