WELSH, La. (KLFY)-The town of Welsh celebrated the opening of a new building at the McBurney Memorial Library, a library that has stood since being built in the 1970’s.
Jeff Davis Parish Library board officials said the McBurney Memorial Library has been in need of upgrades for over a decade, but they say their plans to expand have become a reality with their new $1.3 million facility.
Michael Staton, The Jeff Davis Parish Library director, said the building is a result of former directors pointing out the lack of space in the library.
“This is really a product of the former directors recognizing that we were outgrowing the space in the Welsh branch here and being able to come up with a solution that was both fiscally responsible with the taxpayers money but still met the needs of the community,” said Staton.
To celebrate, the library held a community festival with many activities such as live music, face painting, an escape room, and a petting zoo. Welsh Library Branch Manager, Jean Stoute, said the new building includes an 85-person meeting room, study rooms, and storage rooms.
“With the new facility, we’ll be able to supply more needs to our community,” said Stoute. “We’ll have more programs, and we’ll get different needs, we already have four programs a week, we are hoping to increase that, so we’re excited about the progress,” said Stoute.
Staton said more resources for children, the updated library will now be better equipped to support families.
“We see a lot of grandparents taking care of their kids, and this gives people something to do, keep kids occupied during the summer and just provide a safe place where we know that they’re being looked after and engaged and increase their literacy, just increase their participation in their communities,” said Staton.
Staton said the future of the Welsh library looks very promising.
“It gives us our own space to be able to prep programs and have things ready to go and grow and expand for the community, and the Welsh library has always been really supportive by their local community, so we’re eternally grateful to the Welsh community,” said Staton.
