Carthage Library Receives Land for New Building

Carthage Public Library District now officially owns the site where the new library building will be constructed. The property, at First and Center Streets on the northwest corner of the Carthage Veterinary Service campus in Carthage, was donated to the library by Prairieland Investment Group, LLC. The legal process to transfer the property and record the deed was completed on December 6, 2021. The land transfer was announced to the public at a press conference on January 19, 2022.

Doug Groth, DVM, and Bill Hollis, DVM, of Prairieland Investment Group presented Library Board President John Dittmer with a copy of the deed. In return, the library presented them with a certificate of appreciation which represents a plaque which will be displayed in the new library.

This land transfer is an important step toward the goal of a new library building. Carthage Public Library District applied for a Public Library Construction Act Grant of almost $1.259 million through the State of Illinois. The passage of a bond issue in April 2021 provided the library’s local cost share and secured the grant funds.

Since their original architect retired and closed his firm, the library has been working with StudioGC based in Chicago to refine the original plans and ensure compliance with all of the various building codes and zoning requirements. They are currently working on details such as the color of the exterior brick, the type of windows and doors, the HVAC systems, the color of carpeting and other flooring, the number and placement of electrical outlets and data ports, and a myriad of other decisions. The board hopes the project can go out to bid in February so that groundbreaking may take place this spring.

The Carthage Public Library District Board of Trustees and staff appreciate the community’s support, which is an integral part of the project. In addition to the donation of the land, the library has received generous monetary donations. Current fundraising efforts are focused on raising money for shelving and furnishings. The engraved brick and paver fundraiser continues. Donations of any size are always appreciated. Checks should be made out to the Carthage District Library Foundation, or on-line donations may be made through their website:  https://www.carthagepubliclibrary.com/library-foundation.html.