The public library in Fremont would remain closed permanently under a proposal from the Wayne County Public Library advisory board and the library system director.
The Fremont branch, located at 202 N. Goldsboro St., has been closed since April 15 because of a leaking roof and mold remediation. The town of Fremont owns the building.
The advisory board voted unanimously Nov. 19 for permanent closure of the Fremont branch and that county officials consider planning for a full-service northern branch library.
The nearest public library branch to Fremont is the Pikeville Public Library.
Mark Gregory Roofing Co. of Benson submitted an estimate in November of $12,000 for labor and materials for removal of the Fremont library’s existing tin roof and installation of fungus-resistant shingles.
The Wayne County Board of Commissioners’ agenda for Tuesday includes a motion to approve a recommendation from Wayne County Library Director Donna Phillips and the Library Advisory Board to permanently close the Fremont Branch Library.
Phillips, in a Nov. 23 memorandum to County Manager Craig Honeycutt, summarized events over the past year leading up to the advisory board’s vote to close. The memorandum is included in the agenda packet for Tuesday’s commissioners meeting.
In the memorandum, Phillips noted that the library completed a facility study plan last year and that she believed a new northern regional library is where “our attention should be focused.” She said both the Pikeville and Fremont libraries were operating out of old buildings that never were designed to be public libraries and that these spaces are not equipped for handling the growing technology needs of a modern public library. She also said the northern branch libraries are overcrowded and do not have public programming space.
The timeline begins in January with reports of a leaking roof, wet ceiling tiles, strong odor and possible mold.
In March, Phillips expressed safety concerns about staff members working in a building that potentially has mold and mildew.
The county manager on March 12 authorized the temporary closing of the Fremont branch until repairs could be made.
The Fremont branch manager reported March 24 that it appeared interior repairs had been made. The library resumed regular hours the following Monday.
The branch manager reported in April that it appeared the repairs made were cosmetic in nature, not corrective, as water continued to enter the building and paint continued to chip. On April 15, the county manager authorized reclosing of the library and sent photos along with his decision to Fremont town administrator Tony Howell.
The branch manager reported in June that the leaks had become worse and water was running down a wall.
Howell reported June 22 that he had secured a contractor who could work on repairs. Howell said the Friends of the Fremont Library organization would contribute $1,000 toward the repairs.
Phillips sent an email July 12 to Howell with photos depicting active leaks, chipped paint and a new leak in the bathroom ceiling. On the same day, Honeycutt shared photos with the Board of Commissioners showing ongoing structural issues.
Phillips informed Howell in September that library materials and equipment were being moved to storage out of concern for their safety. That same month, Phillips updated the library advisory board that the Fremont library was still taking on water.
The Wayne County Public Library advisory board on Nov. 19 unanimously approved a recommendation to the Board of Commissioners that the Fremont Branch Library be permanently closed “and that the county turn its attention toward planning strategically for a full service northern branch library.”
The commissioners meeting Tuesday will get underway with an 8 a.m. agenda briefing followed by the formal session at 9 a.m. Both will be held in the commissioners’ meeting room on the fourth floor of the Wayne County Courthouse Annex.
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