Clay to build new library in 2018

This spring, the Clay Library will move out of its current location at 7257 Old Springville Road and move four miles down the road into a new building in front of Clay Elementary School. 

The new 6,600-square-foot building, designed by Lathan Associates Architects, P.C., will be nearly five times larger than the current location. It will feature 12-foot ceilings, enough book stacks to more than double the library’s current catalog, multiple gathering spaces and reading areas, 12 computer stations and a large children’s area, according to architect Ryan Vernon. 

It’s really exciting,” library Director Holly Flores said. “It’s going to be nice to have spaces for things such as summer reading and crafts. We’ve done the best with what we’ve got currently.”

The historic Jayfe Ware House, a Queen Anne-style house built in 1905, has served as the Clay Public Library’s home since the library opened in 2009. During her two years as director, Flores has helped maximize space in the 1,800-square-foot house by turning closets into reading rooms and turning the small kitchen into a meeting space for about 10. 

Flores says the move will be bittersweet. “I love this building’s charm, and everybody loves this building. I hate to leave it, but I also know where we’re going is a lot more functional. It will be a lot more open and contemporary,” Flores said.

Clay Public Library employees were asked to give their input on the design as a way to bring some of the Jayfe Ware House’s charm into the new design. The exterior will feature a stone base with lap siding and two large covered porches with rocking chairs. Inside, natural light will shine through, just as it does in the current space, and a sitting area around a working stone fireplace will be a focal point.

“We’re trying to take as much of the charm with us as we can,” Flores said. “I think the community will be very appreciative of that.”

Clay City Manager Ronnie Dixon said the need for a new library building has been discussed since the current administration took office five years ago. After a termite bond was denied on the Jayfe Ware House in 2015, Dixon said the city began setting aside money to be able to pay cash for a new building by 2018. The city is on pace to do just that with a $1 million budget for construction, furniture and interior needs.

“It’s all about bringing everything up to date … If we’re going to have a library, then we need to have a modern media center,” Dixon said. “It will be electronically state of the art. As things become more electronic, we’ll be set up for that.”

The building will also include a multipurpose room that will seat 60 people, an addition for the city to go along with a 40-seat room at Cosby Lake and a 100-seat room at the Community Center. 

“The multipurpose room is going to fill the gap for those midsized meetings people want to have in Clay,” Dixon said. 

Expanding the library’s space will also allow for an expansion of its catalog from roughly 3,000 items to around 7,000, according to Dixon. He said as they grow into the space, it could also mean an expansion of hours in the future. Currently, the library is open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Monday, Wednesday and Friday and 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Weekend hours are 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturdays and 1-5 p.m. on Sundays. 

Visit claylibrary.com for more information.