Independence and South County Regional Libraries

Independence Regional Library

In 1993, Mecklenburg county put before the voters a 250-million-dollar bond package that included 6.5 million dollars for two new libraries - one on Beatties Ford Road and another on Independence Boulevard. (Whitacre, 1993)Dianne Whitacre, “Board lowers sights, seeks 2 libraries,” Charlotte Observer, May 30, 1993, p.3M The new Independence Regional would replace a storefront library in rented space that had operated as the Independence Branch since 1974. The Library had purchased an option on a nearby book warehouse and proposed spending half the bond funds to buy and renovate the space. The voters approved, and despite some initial skepticism from county officials -“I’m troubled,” said a member of the Planning Commission, that “we are paying that much to move a library around the corner.'' (Whitacre, 1994)Dianne Whitacre, “Panel criticizes $3.3 million library proposal,” Charlotte Observer, April 10, 1994, Page: 3M-, the County Commissioners and Library Trustees approved it.

Two years later, on September 16, 1996, the Independence Regional Library opened to the public. At 18,000 sq. ft., it was two and a half times larger than the branch it replaced. It also had the largest number of public computers of any Charlotte Mecklenburg library up to that time, reflecting the Library’s continuing commitment to bring the internet to the people.

South County Regional Library

In 1995 the library was planning another regional for southern Mecklenburg County. It successfully duplicated the formula that had made Morrison Regional such a successful project. Two developers – Alan Tate and Herman Moore – donated land at the corner of Rea Road and 51. Not only did they give the library land, but, mindful of the difficulties of securing funding for the actual furnishing of the facility, they promised to raise $400,000 to purchase computers as well (Chandler, 1994)Liz Chandler, “With voters' OK, 3 new libraries on drawing board,” Charlotte Observer, May 31, 1995, p.8A. South County Regional opened in September of 1998. On the day of the grand opening, 3,600 people showed up in two hours and checked out 2,500 items. “It was wild,” said Manager Lois Kilkka. (Gossett, 1998)Polly Paddock Gossett, “Editors look for more than y’alls, y’all” Charlotte Observer, September 27, 1998, p.4C

Detailed Citations: 

Whitacre, Diane. “Board lowers sights, seeks 2 libraries.” Charlotte Observer, May 30, 1993, p.3M

Whitacre, Diane. “Panel criticizes $3.3 million library proposal.” Charlotte Observer, April 10, 1994, Page: 3M

Chandler, Liz. “With voters' OK, 3 new libraries on drawing board.” Charlotte Observer, May 31, 1995, p.8A

Gossett, Polly Paddock. “Editors look for more than y’alls, y’all.” Charlotte Observer, September 27, 1998, p.4C