Thank you for your interest in Farmville Public Library's new facility - we're excited you're here! The new Farmville Public Library facility is now open for service. We invite you to tour the facility and to take advantage of the plethora of services and opportunities that are available. While the new library facility is open for service, the capital campaign is ongoing with naming rights and giving levels still available. Please contact Angie Bates, Library Director, at abates@farmvillenc.gov or call (252) 753-3355 for more information.
CAPITAL CAMPAIGN INFORMATION
Give the gift that will truly keep on giving! The capital campaign for the new Farmville Public Library is ongoing and the library appreciates any and all contributions. A variety of giving opportunities are available - from sponsoring furnishings, honoring or remembering a loved one, and giving a square foot. Please consider a contribution to the library's capital campaign in your time of giving. Charitable contributions to the library - a department of local government - for its capital campaign are tax-deductible under section 170(c)(1) of the Internal Revenue Code.
PROJECT TIMELINE
1930 – Farmville’s first library begins operation with assistance of local Woman’s Club.
May 11, 1954 – Library building opens in current location with the assistance and vision of Elizabeth Davis.
1997 – Renovation and expansion to existing facility.
2015
2015 – Grant-funded consulting services sought for strategic planning and space needs activities.
2016
2016 - Grant-funded consulting services awarded for strategic planning and space needs activities.
2017
February - Details from library’s Space Needs Assessment presented at Town of Farmville’s annual retreat, which was followed by unanimous approval and support to seek architectural services for a renovation and expansion.
June - Smith Sinnett Architecture selected to lead renovation and expansion project after a detailed interview and selection process, with unanimous support of the selection committee, the Library Board of Trustees, and the Board of Commissioners.
August – Ross Linden Engineers complete structural assessment of library facility.
September – McDavid Associates, Inc. complete survey of library’s property.
October – Terracon Consultants, Inc. complete geotechnical work around and on library’s footprint.
2018
January – Smith Sinnett Architecture presents details of work conducted and issues uncovered by Ross Linden Engineers, McDavid Associates, Inc, and Terracon Consultants, Inc. to Board of Commissioners. Details were provided for continuing with renovation and expansion, as well for new construction based uncovered structural and geotechnical issues. A public hearing for citizen input was approved for February 2018.
February – Library Director, Smith Sinnett Architecture, Ross Linden Engineers, and Terracon Consultants, Inc. presented details of work thus far and asked for public comment. After citizen feedback, the Board of Commissioners voted unanimously to proceed with new construction.
March 26 – Smith Sinnett Architecture held a design workshop at the H.B. Sugg Elementary School for public input and feedback.
April 5 – Smith Sinnett Architecture held a design workshop at the Farmville Community Center for public input and feedback.
June 19 – Smith Sinnett Architecture presented renderings to Farmville Public Library Board of Trustees for feedback.
June 26 – Smith Sinnett Architecture presented renderings at Farmville Board of Commissioner's meeting for feedback. The Farmville Board of Commissioners unanimously approved the renderings and design.
2019
February 12 – Smith Sinnett Architecture presented drawings and updated project schedule to Farmville Public Library Board of Trustees for feedback.
February 18 – Smith Sinnett Architecture presented drawings and updated project schedule at Farmville Board of Commissioner’s Planning Retreat.
March 26 - Mandatory pre-bid conference held for interested contractors led by Smith Sinnett Architecture at Farmville Public Library.
April 24 - Bid opening led by Smith Sinnett Architecture at Farmville Town Hall. Discussions for exploring cost-saving opportunities begin with low bidder, Farrior and Sons, Inc.
May 29 - Library Board and Smith Sinnett Architecture met at Farmville Public Library to discuss cost-saving opportunities.
June 3 - Farmville Board of Commissioner's unanimously approve the Town's financing proposal for the facility project and authorization for the filing of an application for approval of a financing agreement to the North Carolina Local Government Commission.
June 3 - Farmville Board of Commissioners unanimously approve the rental lease agreement for the Library's temporary location on the corner of Walnut and Wilson streets.
June 24 - Farmville’s Board of Commissioners unanimously approve the construction contract award to project low bidder Farrior and Sons.
July 9 - Financing for the new building project was formally approved by the Local Government Commission.
September 30 - Library opens for service at its temporary location at 3733 North Main Street.
October 7 - Farrior and Sons begin construction of the new facility on Church Street.
October 30 - Groundbreaking ceremony held at construction site.
2020
February 17 – Library steel topping ceremony held at construction site.
2021
March 24 – The Library ceased operation at its temporary location at 3762 West Wilson Street, and closes temporarily as it relocates to its new facility at 4276 West Church Street.
April 19 – The Library opens to the public in its new facility.
May 11 - New facility dedication ceremony held.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Why did you build a new library instead of renovating and expanding the former facility?
The original intent of this facility project was to expand and renovate the existing facility. This request was approved in February 2017 and Smith Sinnett Architecture was selected after a thorough interview process to help the library with this effort. However, once structural engineers and soil scientists began their inspection, issues with the facility and foundation were identified.
Ross Linden Engineering determined that the second floor was not built to withstand the current weight it is currently lifting, which helps explain the second floor’s dipping in various spots and the persistent creaking that can be heard when children and adults walk on it. Ross Linden Engineering also identified the need for jacking and straightening of the walls, as well as leveling the floors, due to settling.
Terracon Consultants, Inc. discovered soft wet clay and building debris in the soil underneath the library facility, which also helps explain the settlement that has occurred. These findings are also consistent with historical research that documents that a previous structure was located where the library now stands; a feed storage building. In order to stabilize the building for renovation, Terracon Consultants, Inc. recommended that the existing building foundation be repaired using helical piers. If the building is replaced, the debris laden soil in the footprint of the new building should be removed and replaced with structural fill. His research also found that the 1997 renovation and addition posed construction problems due to the original building being unlevel.
These known issues that required attention before a renovation and expansion could begin, their increasing costs, and the uncertainty of potential issues that would only present themselves once a renovation and expansion would commence, were presented to the Town Board of Commissioners in January 2018, then once again in February 2018 immediately followed by a public hearing for community input. The Town Board of Commissioners then voted unanimously to proceed with new construction. Construction of the new facility began in October 2019.
What historical significance did the former library facility have?
While the former library facility had sentimental significance – as all public libraries do – it did not have any historical designations and also exhibited conflicting architectural styles of Cape Cod and Gothic influence.
Did the library close during construction?
The library continued to serve the public during construction, first at 3733 North Main Street, and then in the historic depot building on the corner of Walnut and Wilson streets.
Is my donation to the Town of Farmville for the library's new facility tax-deductible?
Yes. Charitable contributions to local government are tax-deductible under section 170(c)(1) of the Internal Revenue Code. The library is a department of the Town of Farmville local government.
Who are the architects who led the library's new construction project?
Smith Sinnett Architecture was selected after a detailed interview and selection process in June 2017. Drew Wilgus, AIA, LEED AP is the Project Architect and and Rhonda Angerio, AIA is the Principal in Charge. Smith Sinnett Architecture was founded in 1976 and is a certified Historically Underutilized Business (HUB), as well as a woman owned business.
Who construction company was been awarded the library's facility project?
Farmville-based Farrior and Sons was awarded the library's construction project in June 2019.
Who can I talk to about the library's facility project?
Questions, comments or concerns may be directed to:
Angie Bates, Library Director – abates@farmvillenc.gov
David Hodgkins, Town Manager – dhodgkins@farmvillenc.gov
The original intent of this facility project was to expand and renovate the existing facility. This request was approved in February 2017 and Smith Sinnett Architecture was selected after a thorough interview process to help the library with this effort. However, once structural engineers and soil scientists began their inspection, issues with the facility and foundation were identified.
Ross Linden Engineering determined that the second floor was not built to withstand the current weight it is currently lifting, which helps explain the second floor’s dipping in various spots and the persistent creaking that can be heard when children and adults walk on it. Ross Linden Engineering also identified the need for jacking and straightening of the walls, as well as leveling the floors, due to settling.
Terracon Consultants, Inc. discovered soft wet clay and building debris in the soil underneath the library facility, which also helps explain the settlement that has occurred. These findings are also consistent with historical research that documents that a previous structure was located where the library now stands; a feed storage building. In order to stabilize the building for renovation, Terracon Consultants, Inc. recommended that the existing building foundation be repaired using helical piers. If the building is replaced, the debris laden soil in the footprint of the new building should be removed and replaced with structural fill. His research also found that the 1997 renovation and addition posed construction problems due to the original building being unlevel.
These known issues that required attention before a renovation and expansion could begin, their increasing costs, and the uncertainty of potential issues that would only present themselves once a renovation and expansion would commence, were presented to the Town Board of Commissioners in January 2018, then once again in February 2018 immediately followed by a public hearing for community input. The Town Board of Commissioners then voted unanimously to proceed with new construction. Construction of the new facility began in October 2019.
What historical significance did the former library facility have?
While the former library facility had sentimental significance – as all public libraries do – it did not have any historical designations and also exhibited conflicting architectural styles of Cape Cod and Gothic influence.
Did the library close during construction?
The library continued to serve the public during construction, first at 3733 North Main Street, and then in the historic depot building on the corner of Walnut and Wilson streets.
Is my donation to the Town of Farmville for the library's new facility tax-deductible?
Yes. Charitable contributions to local government are tax-deductible under section 170(c)(1) of the Internal Revenue Code. The library is a department of the Town of Farmville local government.
Who are the architects who led the library's new construction project?
Smith Sinnett Architecture was selected after a detailed interview and selection process in June 2017. Drew Wilgus, AIA, LEED AP is the Project Architect and and Rhonda Angerio, AIA is the Principal in Charge. Smith Sinnett Architecture was founded in 1976 and is a certified Historically Underutilized Business (HUB), as well as a woman owned business.
Who construction company was been awarded the library's facility project?
Farmville-based Farrior and Sons was awarded the library's construction project in June 2019.
Who can I talk to about the library's facility project?
Questions, comments or concerns may be directed to:
Angie Bates, Library Director – abates@farmvillenc.gov
David Hodgkins, Town Manager – dhodgkins@farmvillenc.gov