Library Director Jennifer Roup, left, and Atchison County Library board member Janet Griffin, right, hold an artist’s rendition of the new library.
The Atchison County Library previously announced the construction of a new library and community center, scheduled to open in the fall of 2025. However, due to the exciting reception of the Community Development Betterment Grant that was awarded to Restore Rock Port, the project’s completion date has changed. Thanks to this generous grant, the demolition of the project must go through the grantor’s timeline, but also allowing more time to finalize plans and ensure the new library meets the community’s needs.
The new library and community center will still be a thoughtful, multi-purpose space designed to serve Atchison County residents. The library has partnered with Creal, Clark & Siefert, an experienced architectural firm familiar with Atchison County and library construction.
“While we were really looking forward to a new library in 2025, we believe that this extra time will allow us to create an even better facility for our community,” said Library Director Jennifer Roup. “We are grateful for the support of our community and look forward to sharing updates as the project progresses.”
The new library will offer triple the shelf space for books and feature various amenities, including a dedicated children’s area and an indoor walking path. The board, staff, and architects are committed to creating a hub of resources for Atchison County and a communal gathering place for all ages.
In the meantime, the library will be holding public meetings for the community to meet the architects, ask questions and view renderings of the building. These meetings will be held Tuesday, April 22, at two times: 12:00-1:00 p.m. at the Tarkio Resource Center and 5:00 p.m. at the Atchison County Memorial Building in Rock Port.
Along with applying for grants, the Atchison County Library (ACL) is planning a fundraising event to supplement the cost associated with the new library. The Books and Breezes Kite Show will be August 9, 2025, at the Gould Peterson Municipal Airport, to entertain the county by The Great American Kite Company. This event will feature giant kites, special shows and activities for kids and much more. Mark your calendars and keep an eye out for more information.
In addition to new events, ACL will also host its annual summer reading program at the Tarkio Library June 23-26, as well as their first used book sale in Rock Port on April 10, 11 and 12. For more information on all of these events, see their Facebook page or website.
To help in the next important steps of the project, contact the library or Facebook group to join the Friends of the Library Group. You can follow along on Facebook or read updates on their website, https://youseemore.com/acl/.
