The Richland County Public Library broke ground on a $1.6 million renovation and expansion of its Eastover Branch, which originally opened in 1985, on December 7. The library facility, the first LEED certified county-owned/municipal building in Richland County, is expected to be completed in October 2012.

A $500,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, covers a substantial portion of the project. The remaining costs are covered by matching capital funds from Richland County.

The expansion and renovation will allow for:
• Expanded operating hours, additional computers and enhanced services.
• Double the space for the children’s collection and increased space for children’s programs.
• A meeting room for programs and use by community groups.
• A new area that promotes the rich history of Eastover.

In the last year, the number of people visiting the Eastover library has increased 38 percent, and the number of items checked out has increased 58 percent. During construction, the library will operate from a portable building on the current library site. Library hours and services will remain the same, including wireless access and book returns.

“Libraries today offer services and technologies that help residents find jobs, improve their skills, and support the educational and entertainment needs of their families,” said Melanie Huggins, RCPL’s Executive Director. “With support from the USDA—matched by that of Richland County—the residents of Eastover will have the library they deserve.”

RCPL and the City of Denmark are the two South Carolina recipients for the Recovery Act support, an effort that awarded funds to 129 rural communities in 30 states.

“This library is getting over half of our state’s normal annual allocation for rural funding projects, thanks to the Recovery Act funds,” said Jesse Risher, community facilities program director with the U.S Department of Agriculture’s Rural Development office in Columbia.

We believe in the impact of public libraries, and know they are the heart of the community, Risher said as he held up his own Richland County Public Library card and professed to be a frequent visitor to the library.

“Libraries are the centerpiece of rural community life, but in many cases they need additional funding to provide rural residents with computer access, modern equipment and new training and educational opportunities,” U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack said. “These Recovery Act investments in our nation’s libraries will serve rural America for generations to come.”

The $15 million in Recovery Act funding is being provided through USDA Rural Development’s Community Facilities Program. It will be combined with $10.2 million from other sources. Funding of each loan and grant is contingent upon the recipient meeting the conditions of the agreement. For a complete list of projects, visit http://www.usda.gov/documents/Library_Projects.pdf. Altogether, 190 libraries across the country have benefited from Recovery Act funding.

The Eastover Branch of RCPL is one of 11 library locations throughout Richland County. For more information, visit www.myRCPL.com.

Photo: Breaking ground on RCPL’s Eastover Branch Renovation are RCPL Board Member John Baker; Richland County Councilman Kelvin Washington; Eastover Mayor Lee Faber; RCPL Board Chair Kirby Shealy; USDA’s Jesse Risher; and RCPL Executive Director Melanie Huggins.