EDITORIAL: Collins P. Lee Memorial Library has game-changer potential

Published 10:28 pm Sunday, January 22, 2023

There are some goals that come to fruition fairly quickly and then there are others that require a lot more time, planning and effort. News this week that Baldwin County has received $1.2 million in federal funding for renovations to launch the Collins P. Lee Memorial Library is one such goal that comes to mind. The idea to transform the community center in Harrisburg into a library has been floated since as far back as 2016, but has been hindered by funding, and as with many things, a global pandemic.

But the welcomed news this week that the Collins P. Lee Memorial Library is coming to pass has the potential to be a game-changer for many local residents, particularly those living in the Harrisburg community.

Although the name of the facility will change from the Collins P. Lee Center to add library to its moniker, we are in fact not losing a community center at all.

Libraries are community centers and so much more.

Libraries add values to communities and neighborhoods. They foster a sense of pride and are hubs for community programs and activities. They’re also a valuable resource, providing space for research, job searches, access to computers and internet, and gathering are places for programs and events. That’s not to mention the educational value for students who need study materials and resources for homework and school. Having those resources nearby, within walking distance, when you have limited transportation, is invaluable.

That factor became evident to many people when the pandemic hit and libraries had to get innovative to provide resources to students who were learning at home.

County Commissioner Kendrick Butts, whose district includes the Harrisburg community, noted that although the library will be located in Harrisburg, the benefits potentially extend farther than one neighborhood.

“I think this will be very beneficial to the Harrisburg neighborhood and what this is going to add to the community in so many ways,” Butts said. “I know that the people who live in that community are going to be very pleased. This is something that can serve to educate people for many, many years there in the community.”

The funding will be used to renovate the inside of the Lee Center and transform its exterior, brightening up the space and making it more inviting and welcoming to library patrons. Transforming this one space could potentially have a domino effect, inspiring revitalization throughout the surrounding neighborhood and fostering a greater sense of pride in the community.

We certainly hope so.

Now, the planning for how the library space can be utilized to its fullest potential can be begin. We hope that includes pulling ideas from community residents on what they’d like to see and what they desire for the library space. We encourage residents to reach out to their county commissioners if they have ideas or suggestions or follow up with the Middle Georgia Regional Library System and local library officials to find out the best means to share ideas and thoughts about the library’s future.

Kudos to county officials, residents and community advocates who have worked diligently to push this vision forward and for making the sales pitch that helped get the wheels turning to make this funding happen.