HEFLIN — Nobody was quite sure how old the building was, but consensus of the individuals discussing the topic put the structure’s original completion date at sometime in the late 1930s or early 40s. Old photos of the location with an automobile parked in front were basis for the guesstimations.
Officially, the address in 7041 Highway 531 in Heflin and it’s the home of a remodeled branch of the Webster Parish library system. Inside and out, fresh coats of paint have dressed up the facility.
“Now that it’s open it doesn’t look like the same place,” said Heflin librarian Dedra Harris. “There are more books, more computers and everything looks very good.”
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Harris said,the library has been open to the public for a short time, but an official open house Wednesday from noon until 2 p.m. officially unveiled the facility. On display were more books, more movies, and a computer area with newer units for use by library visitors.
“We have three computers and that’s more than we had to offer before,” Harris said. “We have a better selection of books and movies, also.”
Beverly Hammett, director of the parish library system, said the library renovation cost just under $25,000 and included work both inside and outside the building.
“We leveled the floor, put in new lights and added new shelving inside,” she said. “We painted outside, enclosed a second door on the front and put on a metal roof. The people of the Heflin area can be proud of their library”
Residents of the Heflin area can take advantage of their new library services from 2 until 5 p.m. Monday, Wednesday and Friday.