News Flash

Library - News & Events

Posted on: December 20, 2019

Abilene Council Cements Agreement for Heritage Square, New Library

Concept Rendering of New Library

The Abilene City Council Thursday approved an agreement to donate the former Abilene High School/Lincoln Middle School property on South First Street to a nonprofit that plans to renovate the structure.

Once that project is done, expected to be around 2023, Abilene Heritage Square, Inc. will then lease space to the Abilene public library for a new downtown branch.

The cost to the city, once the project is completed, will be around $36,000 a month, for a 40-year lease.

The lease includes facilities, janitorial services, furnishings and fixtures, and maintenance.

That amount is roughly the same amount paid to lease the library's south branch at the Mall of Abilene, city officials said.

The total cost over the life of the lease, $17.28 million, is cheaper than the cost of building a new library outright, said assistant city manager Mindy Patterson. 

"We're actually saving the citizens money by not having to build ourselves a $30 million-plus building that we need to get our current library up to standards," Patterson said.

Jane Beard, president of the Abilene Heritage Square nonprofit, said the the current library opened in 1960, and was expected to last 20 years.

"We've now occupied it for 60 years," Beard said. "And as you can imagine, the Abilene of the 1960s looked different in a lot of ways. First of all, it was a lot smaller. It also didn't have the technology requirements that we now have."

A Place for Community

Abilene Heritage Square Exterior ShotBeard said the Abilene Heritage Square group has long looked for uses for the former Abilene High/Lincoln school, which was deeded to the city in 2012.

The project will renovate the roughly 96-year-old academic building and 1929 gymnasium while preserving their historic facades. 

New construction sensitive to the historic structures will be added to the west side of the academic building.

Estimated cost of planned full renovation has been pegged at around $42.5 million, which includes all furnishings, and a $1.5 million endowment to help fund long-term maintenance costs.

To date, about $39 million has been raised from donations, foundations, etc., organizers said Thursday night. 

The library, while key, will be only one component of the project. 

The renewed structure will contain museum space, including a science-based extension of the Grace Museum, a 700-seat auditorium, a restored Eagle's Nest gymnasium, the site of the Stone Owl Academy, and more.

Laura Moore, executive director of the the Grace Museum, said that the project will serve as a sort of "community living room," home to a variety of uses inside and outside of Abilene Heritage Square's walls.

Preserving the Past, Building the Future

Beard said that in some respects, the Abilene High/Lincoln building was an early attempt at economic development, showing those who passed by rail or on the historic Bankhead Highway to see that "Abilene was a town that valued education and self-improvement through education."

"I think this new, revitalized Abilene Heritage Square will actually send that same message," she said. "It's a message of what our community values and what we're willing to invest our time and our treasure in."

Councilman Travis Craver said he was excited about the leadership represented by the project but "more excited by the lives it will change."

"Education is the most the powerful tool you can use to change the world," Craver said, quoting Nelson Mandela, the famous South African anti-apartheid revolutionary, political leader and philanthropist.

Councilwoman Donna Albus said that when the school property was donated to the city, she viewed that exchange as the city tending the property "until the rightful owner" came along.

"I'm so excited to see that building find new life," she said. "... I think we've found that rightful group."

Original Article as Published by the Brian Bethel, with the Abilene Reporter-News on Thursday, December 19, 2019

Facebook Twitter Email

Other News in Library - News & Events

Harry Potter

Join New Weekly Harry Potter Celebrations

Posted on: November 24, 2023
Art Smarts

Join New Art Smarts Series @ Your Library

Posted on: November 15, 2023
World Politics Review (1)

Access World Politics Review Database

Posted on: November 11, 2023
Comics Kingdom

Hoopla BingePass: Comics Kingdom

Posted on: November 11, 2023
Great Courses

Hoopla BingePass: Great Courses Videos

Posted on: November 6, 2023
Puzzle Palace

Discover a New Hoopla BingePass Offering

Posted on: October 30, 2023
Sewing Series

Sew Your Way into New Monthly Series

Posted on: October 27, 2023
Big Library Read

Join the Big Library Read, Nov. 2-16

Posted on: October 23, 2023
Curiosity Stream

Hoopla BingePass: Curiosity Stream

Posted on: October 23, 2023
Dia de los Muertos

Attend Dia de los Muertos Celebration

Posted on: October 16, 2023
Pumpkin Contest

Enter Our Pumpkin Decorating Contest!

Posted on: October 3, 2023
Fire in London

Access New Virtual Classroom Topic

Posted on: October 1, 2023
Meeting Room

Book a Meeting Room @ Your Library

Posted on: September 28, 2023
Stories and More

Noah Project to Lead New Storytime Series

Posted on: September 25, 2023
Cover to Cover

Join Us for October's Cover-to-Cover

Posted on: September 21, 2023
Family Board Games

Family Board Gaming Coming in October

Posted on: September 18, 2023
Art Book Club

Join Us at October's Art Book Club

Posted on: September 14, 2023
NF Librarian of the Year

Nominate the 2023 Librarian of the Year

Posted on: September 9, 2023
Lib-Con

Lib-Con 2023, October 5-7

Posted on: September 2, 2023
Amigurumi Aquarium

Help Build the Amigurumi Aquarium

Posted on: August 31, 2023
Mini Art Exhibit

Register for Annual Mini Art Exhibit

Posted on: August 27, 2023
Seed Library Vegetables

Growing Gardens with the Seed Library

Posted on: August 19, 2023
Events Calendar

View Mobile-Friendly Events Calendar

Posted on: August 15, 2023
Yo-Yo Club

Yo-Yo Club to Continue Through Winter

Posted on: August 11, 2023
Movie Showings

Let's All Go to the Movies!

Posted on: August 2, 2023
Bonus Borrows

Get Bonus Borrows on Hoopla

Posted on: August 1, 2023
Barbie Display

Barbie Now On Display @ Your Library

Posted on: July 31, 2023
Art Book Club

Join Library's New Art Book Club

Posted on: July 22, 2023
Amigurumi

Dive Into an Amigurumi Ocean Build

Posted on: July 22, 2023
Art in the Park

Youth to Go Solar for Art Project

Posted on: July 18, 2023
Summer Reading List

Access AISD Summer Reading List

Posted on: July 15, 2023
CALF Prizes

CALF Gifts Great Summer Prizes

Posted on: July 13, 2023
Bat Storytime

Snag Some Bat Swag at Storytime

Posted on: July 12, 2023
Launchpads

Takeoff with Launchpads for Kids

Posted on: June 27, 2023
New YouTube

New Home on YouTube

Posted on: May 16, 2023
NCCIL Collection

Come View New NCCIL Collection

Posted on: April 24, 2023
03-10 Meet the Author

Meet Author Jen Eikenhorst, Mar. 10

Posted on: February 27, 2023
Free Tax Info

Tax Help Starts Feb. 8, Appointment Only

Posted on: January 29, 2023
01-28 Big Day of Minis

Big Day of Minis Takes Over Library

Posted on: January 7, 2023
Library Cardholder Services

New Library Cardholder Services

Posted on: December 15, 2022
Friends Holiday Donation

Holiday Book Donation Schedule

Posted on: November 17, 2022
Holiday Schedule Infographic

New Holiday Hours for South Branch

Posted on: November 15, 2022
Miss DFW Events

Miss DFW Visit Library for Youth Events

Posted on: October 30, 2022
Business Mercado Graphic

Find us at the Business Mercado, Oct. 8

Posted on: September 29, 2022
Meet Author Kate Anger

Meet Author Kate Anger, Oct. 14

Posted on: September 22, 2022
National Night Out

See Us at National Night Out, Oct. 4

Posted on: September 22, 2022
Library Events

Watch Past Programming Online

Posted on: September 18, 2022
Buddy Walk Graphic

Find Us at the Buddy Walk, Sept. 17

Posted on: September 13, 2022
Monarch Butterfly News Flash

Learn About: Monarch Butterflies, Sept. 23

Posted on: September 12, 2022
Read to a Dog Day Infographic

Participate in Read to a Dog Day

Posted on: September 11, 2022
STEAM Solar Ovens Infographic

STEAM Turns to Solar Power, Sept. 17

Posted on: September 7, 2022
Mini Art Exhibit Infographic

Register for Annual Mini Art Exhibit

Posted on: September 5, 2022
Library Card Sign-Up Month Graphic

Sign-Up for Your Smart Card!!!

Posted on: September 1, 2022
Fall Gardening Infographic

Learn More About: "Fall Gardening"

Posted on: August 29, 2022
Lib-Con Panel News Infographic

Lead a Panel/Event @ Lib-Con, Oct. 8

Posted on: August 19, 2022
Hat Heat Press New Infographic

B.Y.O.H to Makerspace Workshop, Aug. 24

Posted on: August 17, 2022
Lib-Con News Infographic

Celebrate Lib-Con's Return Oct. 8

Posted on: August 13, 2022
Libby News Update

Suspending Digital Purchase Requests

Posted on: July 19, 2022
Free Legal Clinic News Flash

Register to Attend Free Legal Clinic

Posted on: July 12, 2022
Stories in the Garden Returns Infographic

Outdoor Summer Series for Youth

Posted on: May 31, 2022
Donation Hours Halted Infographic

Friends' Updated Donation Schedule

Posted on: May 22, 2022
Summer Reading Club Infographic

Summer Reading Clubs Starting Soon

Posted on: May 22, 2022
Photo of Julee Hatton and Marianne Vadney

City of Abilene Service Award

Posted on: March 17, 2022
Closed Sign for 02-24-22

Libraries to Close at 6PM; 02-24-22

Posted on: February 24, 2022
STEAM Kits

New STEAM Kits Heating Up the Collection

Posted on: February 23, 2022
Annual Report 21

Read What Your Library Did in 2021!

Posted on: February 13, 2022
FAFSA Workshop

Find Money for College with the FAFSA

Posted on: February 13, 2022
Libby News

Make the Switch to Libby in February

Posted on: January 28, 2022
Blind Date with a Book

Participate in Blind Date with a Book

Posted on: January 25, 2022
Study Rooms

Snag a Study Room @ Your Library

Posted on: January 19, 2022
Meeting Rooms

Book Meeting Room Space @ Your Library

Posted on: January 12, 2022
Creativebug

Crafting Made Easy with CreativeBug

Posted on: January 5, 2022
Cricut Mug Press

Personalize Your Mug with New Equipment

Posted on: December 30, 2021
Line Dancing

Get Footloose in New Library Series

Posted on: December 28, 2021
Libby News Graphic

Introducing Changes to Libby Service

Posted on: October 6, 2021
Food Databases

Foodies Unite with New Databases

Posted on: December 23, 2021
Holiday Schedule

Holiday Library Schedule

Posted on: December 23, 2021
BYOBook Club

New B.Y.O.Book Club Strikes in January

Posted on: December 20, 2021
Dyess AFB News Flash

Borrowing Extended to Dyess AFB

Posted on: December 18, 2021
Holiday Donation News Flash

Holiday Donation Schedule in November

Posted on: November 17, 2021
Pumpkin Decorating News

Be a Master Pumpkin Decorator

Posted on: October 4, 2021
Business Mercado News

Join Us at Business Mercado & More

Posted on: October 2, 2021
TeenTober News Flash

Celebrate TeenTober @ Your Library

Posted on: September 27, 2021
Teens Top 10

Vote for 2021's Teens' Top Ten!

Posted on: September 27, 2021
Book a Librarian

Register for Book-A-Librarian Online

Posted on: September 17, 2021
Pet Adoptions

Adopt a Pet at Your Library, Sept. 11

Posted on: September 1, 2021
Storytime Schedule

Storytime Lineup Changes on Sept. 1

Posted on: August 31, 2021
Library Card Sign-Up

National Library Card Sign-Up Month

Posted on: August 30, 2021
Stories and More

Stories & More, Live on TV Channel 2

Posted on: August 26, 2021
Cosplay Contest

Cosplay Contest Arrives on October 9!

Posted on: August 23, 2021
Cookbook Club

Cookbook Club Expands in September

Posted on: August 22, 2021
Harry Potter News

Harry Potter and the Summer of Fun

Posted on: May 24, 2021
Inclement Weather Icon

Library Remains Closed, Feb. 16

Posted on: February 15, 2021
Display Icon

Display Your Collectibles @ Your Library

Posted on: February 7, 2021
Free Tax Help Icon

Tax Help Arrives Feb. 10

Posted on: January 25, 2021
Inclement Weather Infographic

South Branch Closed, Jan. 10, 2021

Posted on: January 10, 2021
Pronunciator News Flash

Learn a New Language in 2021

Posted on: January 2, 2021
Annual Report News Flash

Library Annual Report Now Available

Posted on: November 24, 2020
Julee Hatton Video Screen Capture

Meet Library Director Julee Hatton

Posted on: November 23, 2020
Hoopla Logo

Bonus Borrows Returns from Hoopla!

Posted on: November 3, 2020
Virtual Classroom New Icon

Join the Library's Virtual Classroom

Posted on: September 13, 2020
Teenage Girl Sitting on a Pile of Books

Teens Vote for Top YA Reads!

Posted on: August 26, 2020
Lib-Con Postponed Button

Annual Mini-Con Pushed to 2021

Posted on: July 1, 2020
Hours of Operation Infographic

Welcome Back to Your Library!

Posted on: May 17, 2020
Travel Tickets and Models

Travel the World from Comfort of Home

Posted on: April 27, 2020
Inside the Library - Run4Reading

Participate in Run4Reading Fundraiser

Posted on: February 18, 2020
Bestsellers Feb 16

Reserve This Week's Best Sellers

Posted on: February 15, 2020
School Lunchbox Graphic

Learn to Make Lunch on the Go

Posted on: January 11, 2020
Fandom

Abilene Wide Open: Fandom Dance Party

Posted on: January 7, 2020
Learn Spanish Graphic

Register for Conversational Spanish Series

Posted on: December 22, 2019
Chopping Spree Book Cover

Cook Up Some Fun with a Culinary Mystery

Posted on: December 16, 2019