New Moyock library speaks volumes

Ribbon-cutting marks new era

By Toby Tate
Staff Writer

Wednesday, October 28, 2009

After its last public library closed in 1957, the ribbon was finally cut and the doors opened on a brand new Moyock Public Library on Wednesday afternoon.

About 50 citizens and government officials turned out for the dedication ceremony.

Currituck County Library Board Chairwoman Stephanie Miller said the ribbon on the building is like a present to the Moyock community.

“It’s an important investment in the future, whether it’s children, grandchildren, whoever comes two or three generations after that,” she said.

County Commissioner Owen Etheridge, one of the speakers at the event, said the new library was an example of the county’s commitment to itself.

“When I go around the state of North Carolina and I see other counties, I can tell you that Currituck does not take a back seat to any other county in terms of making sure that we provide our citizens every opportunity to participate in a facility like this and take part in it,” he said.

According to the county’s Web site, the Moyock Library is the third branch of the Currituck County Public Library, which has facilities in Barco and Corolla. It will feature existing programs offered by the library system, as well as special exhibit space maintained by the Currituck Arts Council.

Etheridge said Moyock was the home of the first library in Currituck County, which was constructed in 1933 by the Moyock Women’s Club.

Etheridge said he hopes to see the library packed every day.

“This is a center of learning and it’s the center of a community that will build and go forward,” he said. “This will become the future hub of Moyock.”

Commissioner Janet Taylor, who works in a local beauty salon, said people ask her constantly when the new library will open.

“I finally found out the opening (date) and told everybody what was happening — everybody has been very, very excited,” she said. “Just from the people I’ve talked to, I know that there’s going to be a lot of folks up here daily using this.”

Taylor acknowledged The McKenzie Corporation, architect Ed Lazaron of The Design Collaborative and interior designer W. Ray Jennings, all of Virginia Beach, Va., for designing and constructing the building.

Pam Jaskot, a spokeswoman for the North Carolina State Library, said the new library creates a wonderful sense of place.

“To see the collaboration with the arts, a beautiful area for the children, the wonderful computers — it’s just wonderful to see,” she said. “Civic engagement is clearly alive and well in this community and the financial support and dedication of your county speaks volumes.”

Jaskot said Moyock’s new library is one of the finest in the state, and she expects it will be used a lot.

“I visit a lot of libraries in my job and this place is just beautiful,” she said. “All across North Carolina we see that the usage of our public libraries is growing tremendously. We also know that when a new library is built of renovated, the usage always increases.”

Jaskot said she sees the library as a mainstay for the community and a beacon to attract new families and businesses to the area.

After looking around the building, Moyock resident Ralph Land said he thought the new library was exciting for Moyock.

“It’s highly appropriate for the area,” he said. “It shows progress being made by local government.”

Nine-year-old Kierston Hoover, also of Moyock, said she thought the new library was great.

“I like the kids section — there are so many kids books. I’ll probably come here a lot,” she said.