New library and EMS station opening soon

The Haynes Branch Library in Henrietta officially has a new home.

Located on land that was once home to Cone Mills Haynes Plant, a grand opening/ribbon cutting is planned later this month. The new library is next door to a new Rutherford County EMS Station.

"It is truly amazing to now see a new library facility built for the communities of southeastern Rutherford County," said Robin S. Lattimore, chairman of the Rutherford County Library Board of Trustees. "The trustees have long desired a permanent facility for the library and its growing collection."

The library was previously located in a leased space of around 2,000 square feet, said April Young, director of the Rutherford County Library. The new Haynes Branch will have double the square footage, with a large community room that features a full kitchen and can be divided into three separate, smaller meeting spaces.

"We've gotten all new furniture and shelving," Young continued. Through funds from a Facebook grant, a gaming system, iPads and additional public use computers will be purchased.

There will also be a large area for the children's collection, which is one of the parts of the new facility that Branch Manager Deb Womack most looks forward to.

"In our current location everything else almost stops when we have programming, especially during summer reading," she said. "Now we'll have space to have programming that won't disturb other patrons."

Another area Womack is excited for is the community room, which will have a separate keyed entry for groups to use after hours.

"This community can now look forward to adult programming, which they haven't had in years," Young said.

A patio area to the right of the building will have benches for people to sit outside and read and use their laptops, and at the back of the building there is space for a community garden.

Plans for a new facility have been in the works for around 10 years, Young said. The board of trustees are confident the facility will serve the community well for generations to come, Lattimore added.

"None of this would have been possible without the support of our library patrons or without the dedicated leadership of our county board of commissioners," he said.

In addition to the grand opening celebration, tours of the new library will be given until 6:30 p.m.