Published: February 08, 2006 03:53 pm      

What is in the future for Hawkes Building?

Library eyes a move into former library

In the months to come, your child could have more room to curl up with a book at the Jackson-Butts County Public Library.

At the monthly meeting of the Board of Commissioners held January 9, County Administrator Dr. Van Whaler explained that the Library Board had requested the release of $100,000 of Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax funds. Whaler also told the commissioners that there was thought given to converting the Hawkes Building, which is the current home to Community Development and the Butts County Industrial Development Authority, into a children’s library.

The Hawkes Building’s seed was planted when Mr. Albert King Hawkes passed away in Atlanta in 1916, leaving in his will the means to build a chain of libraries across Georgia. “I believe good books for children are a wonderful force for the molding and training of their little minds,” Hawkes wrote in a letter in 1915.

The Hawkes Library for Children in Jackson was built in 1925 on a lot donated by Hattie McKibben.

The library was initially stocked only with children’s books, but several libraries from throughout the county eventually merged into the Hawkes Library, and the books were split evenly between children’s and adult titles. The Hawkes Building was outgrown over time, and the library moved across the street to its new home on April 6, 1992. And with Community Development’s move, the building could possibly be vacated again.

“Architects have toured the building and taken photos of it. The assessment will be done at no cost,” said Whaler at the January meeting.

Community Development will relocate to the new administration building on West Third Street, but the IDA has yet to decide if it will stay or relocate.

“What about the IDA?” asked Commissioner Lester Peek. “We’ve got to find a place for them to meet.”

“As far as I know, there won’t be anyone in the [Hawkes Building],” said Whaler.

Commissioner Gerald Kersey made a motion to authorize Whaler to daft a letter explaining to the Library Board that they would not be allowed use of the Hawkes Building until all other ideas were explored.

“We do have another tenant in there now – the IDA – and we’ve got to find a place for them,” said Kersey.

Kersey’s motion was seconded by Commissioner Grover McIntyre and was passed unanimously.

While the use of the Hawkes Building is on hold, the library’s requested money has been released.

“We’ve already received the check, and that money will be set aside strictly for capital improvements to the existing structure,” said a smiling Angela Thorton from behind the library checkout counter this past Monday morning. Thorton replaced Mina Torbett as Branch Manager in November. The check was for $125,000.

“Architects have done an assessment of the Hawkes Building, but we probably won’t know what the cost will be for a few weeks,” said Thorton. “We’re looking to expand the multi-purpose room – that’s the only pace we have to grow right now, and we’ve also thought about putting something outside where kids can do crafts. As for the Hawkes Building, we’re really looking to that as a meeting area – a place for book clubs, the garden club, and historical society. In another five or 10 years, we might be looking at another branch location in the county.”