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Fort Deposit Public Library Opening Soon A new chapter in the history of Fort Deposit will begin soon when the town opens its first public library. The library will be located in downtown Fort Deposit on the corner of W. Jones St. and S. Pollard St. Fort Deposit, the largest town in Lowndes County, has been in existence since 1813, and until now the nearest library was 15 miles away. “Having a public library will provide an opportunity for our residents to have a brighter future and help our community grow,” said Fort Deposit Mayor Fletcher Fountain.
Outpouring of support Fort Deposit recently received two library grants totaling $110,000 to renovate the old Fort Deposit Motor Co. building donated by the estate of the late Charles Haigler, Jr. “In late March 2008 we received a $10,000 grant from the Cornerstone Community Outreach and in early April received a $100,000 grant from the Alabama Public School and College Education Incentive Fund,” said Fort Deposit Library Board President Dan Therrien. Thanks to the efforts of Sen. Hank Sanders, D-Selma, public libraries were added to the $1.07 billion bond issue legislation of which $5.8 million was set aside for rebuilding and expansion efforts of public libraries. This comes through the largest education bond issue in state history, which was signed into law last summer by Gov. Bob Riley. It is also the greatest single amount in the state’s history for improvements of our public libraries. Special thanks also go out to the Alabama Public Library Service staff who informed us about the grant, helped us get to where we are in terms of furniture, shelving, computers, and guidance. “This funding is an answer to prayer,” Therrien said. “I have to give God all the glory who makes everything appropriate in its time (Ecc. 3:11). I thank Him for placing us in the right place at the right time to make this all possible.” Therrien explained that the funds will be used to provide an architectural drawing and hire a contractor to install a new roof, new heating and air conditioning system as well as interior/exterior repairs and improvements with handicap access. “Upon completion, Fort Deposit will have a beautiful, state of the art library which will serve about 4,000 citizens in the Fort Deposit area including the southern third of Lowndes County,” Therrien added. “We have a lot of work ahead of us but hope to be open at least on a limited basis as renovation continues by July 1. When completed, the library board plans to have a computer lab, a children’s area, a teen center, community conference room, a museum display and reading room, and more. Fort Deposit Mayor Fletcher Fountain wishes to thank Senators Hank Sanders and Wendell Mitchell as well as to Cornerstone for making these grants possible which will help to move the town forward. “This is a historical moment for the town of Fort Deposit,” exclaimed Mayor Fountain. “Our library will provide opportunities for students and adults alike to help improve their quality of life. The library will have the capability to help prepare patrons with critical skills for the job market which is deemed critical to the economic and educational well being of our community. Services will range from providing children's programs and services, computer training and literacy services, information on setting up and running a small business, meeting space for workshops and seminars on topics such as home buying, job hunting, and tax assistance. Libraries have also been shown to be a service which attracts patronage to local businesses and increase local property value, which is critical in this day and time.” the mayor concluded. “We are very fortunate to have had an outpouring of support from people from around the state,” said Dan Therrien, Fort Deposit Library Board president. “Donations have been incredible. The nearly 11,000 square foot building was donated by the Charles Haigler family, office furniture was provided by the Alabama Public Library Service, a complete library shelving setup was donated by the Foley Public Library, scores of books were donated by local residents and libraries from around the state, and financial donations from local businesses, churches, county commission and individuals. We’ve even been fortunate to have area licensed contractors volunteer their services to conduct needed interior renovation.”
“My grandfather, Charlie B. Haigler Sr. started our families' automobile business in 1928. My father, Charlie B. Haigler, Jr. made the tough decision to relocate the dealership from Fort Deposit to Greenville in 2000 when he opened "Greenville Motor Company," explained Charles Haigler, III. “The people of Fort Deposit continue to be some of our best customers. My mother and I could think of no better purpose than to donate the former "Fort Deposit Motor Company" property for the new public library. My grandfather and father would be very proud to see that Fort Deposit is "on the move,” Haigler said. The library will provide state of the art technology with a computerized library management system which will allow for card cataloging, inventory, barcode scanner and labels for identifying books, creating patron cards, tracking system for book checkout/checkins, and more. Therrien said the Fort Deposit library will eventually offer a number of computer courses from basic computer operation, to website development and business skills, etc. Those wishing to make a financial contribution may contact Dan Therrien at 334-227-4600.
Charles Haighler III turns over the deed from the former Fort Deposit Motor Company to Fort Deposit Mayor Fletcher Fountain at noon Aug. 1 from the library parking lot while live on the air with WAKA-TV’s Meterologist David Baxley to provide local coverage during “David’s Roaming Weather Wednesday” broadcast. Benny Stanford, Friends of the Library member who helped raise thousands of dollars for the library, and Blu Braden representing Southern Electrical and Mechanical, Inc. in Lowndesboro which is volunteering their services to conduct library renovation, watch on. (photo by Dan Therrien) | |
Fort Deposit Library Board President Dan Therrien (right) holds two checks totaling $110,000 presented by Mayor Fletcher Fountain (left) to renovate the library which is planned to open this summer. Members of the Library Board and Friends of the Library who assisted in grant preparation are: (front l-r) Eloise Jenkins, Geraldine Fountain, Patricia Means, (back l-r) Irish Simmons, Clinton Porterfield, and Ethel Porterfield.