The above is a look inside the new library as it looks right now.
Marla Ray and Ann Quinn report that things are progressing at a fast pace regarding the construction of the new library for Big Sandy.
Ray and Quinn represent half of a tireless group of women who have worked on what the new library would look like along with fund raising efforts too. The other two Big Sandy women representing the rest of the building committee are Dee Pribyl and Ladene Mangold.
"We have established a 'Go Fund Me'." said Ray. "That is a face book page where people can check it out and donate anonymously if they want to."
Ray also reminded that there is the regular "Face Book" page for the library where pictures and notes can been seen on how construction is coming along. There is a place there as well to donate. Ray said to be sure and hit "Like Us" on the "Face Book" page.
"If we are thinking of money that we don't have at this time that we wish we did have, there is about $77.000.00 left to raise," said Ray. "There are grants we are working on and feel positive about some of the grants and they will reduce the $77,000.00 figure considerably."
Ray said that Deb Clark and the Fund Raising Committee continue to work on getting grants for the new library.
As to furniture and fixtures for the new library, the group has a grant of $50,000.00 but the group does not think that will cover all things needed in the new library. However they got a lot of stack shelving from Carroll College and have a lot of furniture and the like in the present library that will work well in the new library.
"The bottom line is that when it is time to open the new library, we will be open," added Ray.
Construction should be finished by the end of May. The group is doing some interior work like painting, themselves. And when it comes time to start moving from one location to another, the group could use lots of community help. Things more so quickly at the site. Both Ray and Quinn thought that by the time this story is in print, the new library windows should be in place.
"I feel like we will be having a grand opening sometime this summer," said Ray.
For the group of four ladies, it has been a sort of long, long road sometimes to have gotten to this point.
"I feel very uplifted," said Ray. "All the positive comments we get are just wonderful. The new library is a wonderful addition to Main Street. And it happened!"
Ray continued, "Work hard enough and you can make things happen. Some people are content to see a little town dry up and blow away. I am not!"
