September 29, 2011
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact:
Tammy Dodderidge, communications manager, (913) 279-2225
or Carol Levers, director of libraries, (913) 279-2302
Construction is about to begin on the New Argentine Library! A groundbreaking ceremony will take place at 11 a.m. Tuesday, October 4 at the library's new location, 3100 Strong, in the former Silver City Shopping Plaza.
Speakers at the groundbreaking ceremony will include: Gloria Willis, KCK Board of Education president; Dr. Cynthia Lane, superintendent of the Kansas City, Kansas Public Schools; Carol Levers, director of libraries; and Victor Hernandez, co-chair of the KCK Library Community Campaign Committee.
The cost of the new library is estimated at $6 million. Approximately one-third of the cost of the facility will be paid for with funds raised by the KCK Library Community Campaign Committee.
At a size of 21,000 square feet, the new library will offer three times the space of the current Argentine Library. Some of the other features will include:
The new library is replacing the current library building at 2800 Metropolitan, also known as the historic Carnegie Library. Opened in 1917, it is on the National Register of Historic Places and on the Register of Kansas Historic Places. While historic, the building has a number of limitations for patrons, including inadequate space for services and lack of accessibility for handicapped and elderly residents in the community. After completion of the new library building, the old building will be re-purposed to use for Emerson Elementary School, located next door.
Construction of the new library is anticipated to be complete in July of 2012.
The Community Campaign Committee is still accepting donations to help fund the new library. Checks should be made payable to the KCK Public Library Community Campaign. Mail them to:
Bridgette DeSmet, accounting officer
Kansas City, Kansas Public Library
625 Minnesota Avenue
Kansas City, Kansas 66101
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