By: Steven Blackiston
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark.—In a city of 85,000 people many public facilities can hardly keep up with the growth. The fayetteville public library is trying to stay ahead of the curve by adding an expansion to their facilities. For University of Arkansas student Sean Shoemaker, the library’s efforts to remain modern aren’t lost on him.
“Seeing as how often that library is used and how many people really rely on it for all sorts of things,” said Shoemaker. “I think it is totally worth the investment.”
The investment by the library is quite substantial according to Director of Development, Sarah Du Preez.
“It is a $50 million project,” said Du Preez. “Bonds that the public voted on in August of 2016 raised $27 million for that, so we are privately fundraising $23 million.”
This new addition would help continue the growth and development of Fayetteville.
For Du Preez, Shoemaker and the other residents of Fayetteville, the library is the heartbeat of the community.
“I think the library is sort of the center of our community in Fayetteville and so we want to continue to grow,” said Du Preez. “I’m really excited because we’re going to offer a lot more spaces for the public to use.”
The new spaces in the expansion will allow locals to get in touch with their creative side.
The innovation hub being built will hold recording studios, editing suites, and a simulation lab among other things.
There will also be a 700-seat auditorium to hold concerts and other events, which excites Shoemaker.
“I understand that there is going to be like an outdoor theater there, so that’s going to be sweet!” said Shoemaker. “I am so stoked some outdoor movies at the theater, especially as the Sun is going down, oh it’s going to be beautiful.”
This modern generation of the Fayetteville Public Library will redefine what a library will be.
“So, we want to lead the way and kind of introduce a new era of public libraries so it’s more than just books,” said Du Preez.
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