Regional Library for Cary

[NOTE: This release was issued jointly by the Town of Cary and by Wake County.]

CARY , NC – The Town of Cary has purchased a plot of land and donated it to Wake County to spur the construction of a new regional library in northwestern Cary . The Town purchased the 11.10-acre parcel in Carpenter Village from David and Luanne Ferrell for $848,750. The land had been identified by Wake County as a suitable site for a regional library. The Wake County Board of Commissioners accepted Cary 's gift at its regular meeting today.  

Located near the intersection of Morrisville Parkway and Louis Stephens Drive , the regional library is proposed to be one story with 30,000 square feet and 146 parking spaces. Regional libraries contain in-depth collections between 100,000 and 200,000 volumes and offer a broad range of services to 60,000 - 200,000 customers.  

Construction of the new regional library is expected to be completed by Wake County in the summer of 2006. This library was identified in the Capital Improvement Program as the first new facility to be developed with proceeds from the October 2003 $35-million library bond.  

" Wake County Public Libraries have long provided outstanding service to our citizens and to our schools, and have played a critical role in our community," said Wake County Commission Chair Herb Council. "I am especially proud of our partnership with the Town of Cary in extending these much-needed services to citizens in the western part of our county."  

"Libraries are very important to Cary citizens, and we're glad to be able to help the county move forward with the development of the first regional library in our community," said Cary Mayor Glen Lang.  

On November 4, 2002 , the Wake County Board of Commissioners approved a long-term plan for County libraries that proposes facilities with the largest collections and service offerings—regional libraries—to be located in the principal population centers of the County. For master planning purposes, Wake County is divided into seven regions. As a general rule, each region is to include a regional library and two or more community branches. Wake County currently operates one library within Cary , a branch facility located downtown that began more than 40 years ago.