BY SHEILA HARRIS sheilaharrisads@gmail.com
Nearly 40 people were present at the Shell Knob Library on Feb. 6, for the unveiling of proposed plans for a new building.
The Shell Knob Library is one of nine branches in the Barry-Lawrence Regional Library system. The proposed structure will feature a weathered stone and natural wood exterior, with 4,200 net square feet of indoor space, plus 1,300 net square feet of outdoor space, said Alex Mosby, with Paragon Architecture, the Springfield-based firm who designed the plan.
com The main entrance to the library will be through a secured outdoor courtyard facing the parking lot. The interior space will feature a large reading area, extensive shelving (taller than the current shelves), private rooms for computer use, restrooms and a meeting room.
Gina Milburn, Barry-Lawrence Regional Library System director, who oversees the nine library branches in the region, is thrilled with the design.
“The open-air courtyard will be situated where the existing building is, with the new structure built to the east of it,” she said.
The existing building will be razed, Milburn said.
According to Milburn, Shell Knob dentist Dr. Peter Rashe donated Lots 8 and 9 in Bridgeway Plaza for the construction of a new library in December 2023.
“His only requests were that an appraisal and assessment be conducted before the end of that month,” Milburn said. “And, that’s been taken care of.”
Because the site lies in the heart of the Shell Knob community, with utilities readily accessible, Milburn believes the location is a good fit for the new library.
The new structure will all be built on one level, which will require back-filling of the existing basement, Milburn said.
“If we built on more than one level, we would need to install an elevator to meet federal requirements for public buildings,” she said.
The price tag for the installation of an elevator, not to mention future maintenance, would be upwards of $100,000, Milburn said, a cost she considered prohibitive.
According to Mosby, based on the preliminary plan presented at the Feb. 6 meeting, the cost for the entire construction project carries an estimate of about $2.5 million.
The Shell Knob Building fund had a balance of $257,170 as of Feb. 5, and Milburn said the library board is looking at options for increasing funds.
Most of the current balance, she said, is the result of donations, fundraising efforts and Barry-Lawrence Regional Library contributions.
Residents interested in donating to the building fund may email checks to the Barry Lawrence Regional Offices at 213 6th Street, Monett, MO 65708. Donations may also be dropped off in person at any of the nine Barry-Lawrence library branches. Please designate that checks are for the Shell Knob Building fund.
Milburn said funds for the new Shell Knob library building are kept in a separate account from the library’s operating expense account.
An attendee of the meeting asked whether the library’s finances might be affected by the pending freeze on property taxes paid by senior citizens.
“Because the library system receives tax revenue from both Barry and Lawrence Counties, the property tax freeze for seniors in Barry County shouldn’t impact the library system,” said Greg Brown, library spokesman.
Mosby said once funding is in place, it’s possible the project could be completed in 24 months; however, he added, several factors could affect that timeline, including the construction market.
“When we’re ready to start demolition and construction, we’re looking at some temporary options for housing the library and keeping it open,” Milburn said.
Milburn said she hopes the project will be completed by the time she’s ready to retire, a date she declined to specify.
“I’m 62 now,” she said. For more information about the proposed new Shell Knob library building and options for making a donation, people may visit https://www.blrlibrary.com/post/exciting-new-chapter-for-shell-knob-library.
In addition to the Shell Knob branch, the Barry-Lawrence Regional Library system includes branches in Eagle Rock, Cassville, Monett, Pierce City, Aurora, Mt. Vernon, Miller and Marionville.
