The Eudora Welty Library could soon be put on the selling block, with the proceeds going to purchasing a new location for the downtown Jackson branch.
City officials are planning to evaluate the building to determine whether the facility can be sold under state law.
If so, the branch at 300 North State St. will likely be sold and monies from the sale will go toward paying for a new flagship location for the Jackson-Hinds Library System.
“We’re just beginning that process,” said Chief Administrative Officer Robert Blaine. “We are bringing in someone to evaluate the structure to make sure our assessment that it has reached (the end) of its useful life is accurate.”
Patty Furr, executive director of the Jackson-Hinds Library, is excited about the city’s decision.
“We have one of the premier book collections in the state and it deserves to have a home where people can come and enjoy (them),” she said.
The announcement comes months after Welty was temporarily closed by the state fire marshal for numerous safety violations, and after reports in the Sun highlighted the facility’s condition.
Blaine said several steps would have to be taken before the building could be sold.
Under state law, the city has to determine that the facility has reached the end of its useful life. And before the building is sold, leaders want to find a new location to house Welty.
“We’re currently looking for facilities. We haven’t found one yet, but we’re actively (involved) in that process,” Blaine said. “If we’re going to invest in a 21st century library, we need to find a location that would allow the kinds of growth we’re looking for.”
A new building’s purchase would be paid for with proceeds from the sale of the current location, Blaine said.
“That’s why we want the sale to be revenue neutral or to create revenue,” he said.
The city has not gotten an estimate on the building, nor has the facility been evaluated to determine its condition.
“Many people have feelings about the facility. If there were an opportunity to renovate it or do something to fix the serious problems there, we would probably (do that),” he said. “In our estimation, the facility has reached (the end) of its useful life.”
Downtown resident Jesse Yancy uses the branch about three times a week to check out books, rent DVDs, and to read magazines and periodicals.
He is cautiously optimistic about the city’s plans and says it’s important for Welty will stay downtown.
Yancy doesn’t have a car, and said Welty is the only branch that’s accessible to him.
He’s appalled that the library has been allowed to deteriorate.
“You have the hub of the Jackson-Hinds Library System in downtown Jackson and half of its is closed to the public,” he said. “It’s been going on for far too long and is a bad reflection on the city.”
Welty is the system’s flagship, but in recent years has been falling apart.
Last year, leaks and black mold forced the closure of the administrative offices on the second floor. And earlier this year, the continued growth of mold forced the system to move its information technology department to the Quisenberry Library in Clinton.
In October, State Fire Marshal Mike Chaney temporarily closed the facility after numerous violations were found there.
The branch’s second floor continues to be off limits to the patrons and employees, and leaks continue to be a problem throughout the facility.
The first floor is tested every six months for black mold, and continues to be safe for public use, she said.
Welty has been located at its current location since 1986. The building was originally home to a Sear’s department store and was retrofitted to house the library. The facility was constructed in the 1940s.
Welty’s is home to Jackson’s print shop and the Hinds County Emergency Operations Center, both of which are located in the basement.
EOC officials told the Sun previously they were also looking to relocate the operations center.
The library is governed by Jackson-Hinds, but the building is owned by the city of Jackson.
