Photos are by David Grindstaff posted on the website of WKYK radio in Burnsville, NC. Much of the background description and detail of the library offerings is quoted from the Yancey Common Times Journal of Burnsville, NC.
Finally, after years of hard work by many people, our new library in Yancey County had its Grand Opening this past weekend. Our cutting-edge library is in a "National Register of Historic Places" building in the Historic Arts District on a beautiful hill overlooking the town. This stalwart centerpiece of the district is surrounded by the venerable Parkway Playhouse to the north, the Yancey County Heritage Center to the west, King's Mountain Playground to the south, and the Old Burnsville Gym to the southeast. A humorous, clever speech on the historical background of the building and its location was given by J. Todd Bailey at the Grand Opening. His "Yancey Collegiate Institute and Other Miracles on Baptist Hill" is a must-read for area history devotees.
- "Research a favorite topic at the new computer center with state-of-the-art technology and broad-band service.
- Work on one of 18 desktop computers or one of 12 laptop computers that may be used throughout with wireless capability. The library is the first public library in WNC to utilize thin client technology for desktop computers. Mpact Systems, a company selected by the Franklin Graham group to install their teleconference systems internationally, installed the teleconferencing and presentation systems. Mpact also installed the telemedicine systems in Yancey and Mitchell counties. Teleconferencing in the library – in both a small conference room and the large community meeting area -- support distance learning and other educational programs that can link from anywhere in the world. It also will provide small business, government, health care, and human service agencies with opportunities to communicate statewide, reducing the cost and risk of travel for meetings and other communication.
- Browse the wonderful book, audio, and movie selections
- Enjoy the art throughout as well as the gallery space on the second floor and the acclimatized archive room. The library project had its beginning more than 10 years ago with a commitment of support by Everett and Ruth Kivette that will help sustain the library and gallery in the years to come.
- Be amazed and awed by acclaimed Blacksmith Mike Hensley's 6-foot wrought iron lantern as you enter the front door. The artist in Everett Kivette saw the space above the door in the portico of the new library and thought it needed something. He remembered the lantern in the portico of the White House and another project took flight. Kivette wanted something that celebrated native craftsmanship and complimented the historic structure that would house his gallery and archives that is to preserve and promote regional art and craft. He had to look no further than the forge of Bea Hensley and his son Mike, both recognized nationally as masters of the craft of blacksmithing. Kivette contacted Library Project Director Theresa Coletta and the two paid a visit to the legendary Hensley Forge in Spruce Pine.The only instructions he gave Mike was that the finished piece be a hexagon. The light ended up being over six feet tall and 36 inches in diameter, including the scroll work. (Mike was trained by his father, Bea Hensley (a NC Living Treasure), who was trained by Daniel Boone VI - donor/artist of Parkway Playhouse wrought-iron lanterns.
- Admire the heritage quilt just inside and the quilt block outside that is part of our award-winning Quilt Trails of Western North Carolina. (The Cove at Celo Mountain/Mountain Lifestyle Communities is the Corporate Underwriter of this non-profit.)
- Use the large community meeting room on the second floor- with teleconferencing available -that has an adjacent kitchen for public events both day and evenings."
- Reminisce with the Rolf Holmquist art collage of authentic memorabilia from the "old" library
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