The results of the new non-profit’s first “official” fundraising campaign in August 1985 were quite remarkable. By September they had raised another $13,000 for a total of $28,000. They had been given another parcel of land adjacent to the land that they already had. Now their lot was 100’ x 146’ which allowed them to plan for a much larger building.
An architect affiliated with the University of Virginia had drawn up plans for their consideration. They had received pledges of building materials and workdays from local contributors. Their fundraising goal was set at $120,000. (The Recorder, 9/26/85)
By the Annual Public Meeting in February 1986, they had raised $46,000. The library building was now being designed to have a main floor and mezzanine and a community room for local meetings. They were expecting the blueprints from Charlottesville architect Robert Dripps by March with building to begin in June. They continued to fundraise.
“In addition to mail and telephone solicitations, the library is selling chances on a quilt donated for raffle by Alta Brock. The drawing will be held during the Highland County Fair at the end of the summer.” Meanwhile, library operations at the Masonic Building continued. They announced participation in the Western Virginia Library Project, where first the community would read a particular book, and then a professor would come to discuss it. Professors from Mary Baldwin College, University of Virginia, Virginia Tech, and other universities were participating. There would be five lectures. (The Recorder, Feb. 6, 1986)
On August 23, 1986, the Recorder reported that the site for the new library was being prepared for the groundbreaking. “The building is described in a new Library Association brochure as a 40’ x 80’ steel and brick structure with access for the handicapped.”
The building fund treasurer, Darlene Dowling, reported that $65,000 had been raised. Library trustee and board member Peggy Bird stated the goal is to have “a really good building for community use, as well as library use, for as close to $100,000 as possible.
We want the library to be a place where people go, a real center.” When describing the people who had participated in the building fund, she said they were, “Super. They’ve offered so much help, advice, good will, and encouragement.” (The Recorder, Aug. 28, 1986)
The groundbreaking ceremony for the new library building was held on Mon., Sept. 29, 1986. The ceremony drew a crowd of about 40, including library board members and trustees. Rev. William Cox, who was then vice-chair of the board of directors, gave the invocation. Gwen Bowen, board chair, gave a brief history of the library and Gloria Hower, trustee and director, gave an update on the building fund. Gwen Bowen, with the help of Monterey Mayor, George McWhorter, “sank her shovel into the ground and turned over the first bit of dirt.” They concluded with a benediction from the Rev. John Livick-Moses of the Monterey United Methodist Church. (The Recorder, Oct. 2, 1986)
The contract had been awarded to Mathers Construction of Waynesboro. Library construction began.
