Copyright

The New

Fountain City Branch Library

(The Judge John Webb Green Building)

"Books are a way up and a way out." (Michael Dirda, Book World, The Washington Post, 2001)

Judge John W. Green

Library Trustee (1885-1957), Friend and Patron of the Fountain City Branch Library

In 1928 the County Court appropriated $2500 to provide library services for Fountain Citians, who were then outside the city limits. On January 22, 1929, the Fountain City Library opened in the Odd Fellows Hall at the corner of Hotel Avenue and Holbrook Drive at the foot of "High School Hill" (now the site of Gresham Junior High School). Although the library circulated books and the librarian held children’s reading groups regularly, there were almost no conveniences and few books. For the first six months the rent was free and thereafter was $5.00 per month. A pot-bellied stove was used for heating the room. Personal donations and gifts from the garden club provided funds for shelves, tables and chairs. During the first year 13,596 books were loaned. In just six years the collection had grown to 2007 books and the librarians delivered quality services in the sparse surrounds.

Odd Fellows Hall (Fountain City Library, 1929-1936)

The demand for services increased dramatically during those early years, as evidenced by the circulation figures: 1930, 3805; 1931, 13,596; 1932, 16,764; 1933, 15,034; 1934, 17,062; and 1935, 21,356.

Obviously new facilities were needed. In 1936 Judge John Webb Green headed a movement for a new building to house the library located on historic Hotel Avenue at the western end of Fountain City Park. The concrete block building cost $3,000, half contributed by Knox County Court and half by the citizens of Fountain City. The city operated the system under contract with the county library services. This arrangement was continued in the 1,250 square foot building until 1946 when a famous law suit—the Southern Suit--brought an end to the city library service. In keeping with its "on again, off again" history, the library was closed for a few months in 1946 only to reopen in 1947 under the Knox County system. The library flourished and loaned 70,000 books during 1962, its last full year of operation before annexation.

(Fountain City Branch Library, 1936-1964)

Fountain City was annexed to the City of Knoxville on January 1, 1963 and the library became a part of the Knoxville Public Library system. In 1964 the City of Knoxville demolished the former library building and constructed the 4000 square foot brick, concrete and glass building with exterior walls of gray mountain pebbles that we now know--modern in every detail for its time. Barber and McMurry were the architects and George W. Reagan Company the general contractor. The dedication ceremony was held on April 5, 1964.

(Fountain City Branch Library, 1964-Present)

Artist's Rendering of the New Library (Essary and Stanton)

In the fall of 2000 the Knox County Commission began to seek property for an expansion of the library and acquired a 2.2-acre parcel at the corner of Essary Road and Stanton Drive. At a public meeting held in December 2001 representatives of Fountain City Town Hall asked that considerations be given to include in the architecture of the new library features representative of the proud heritage of Fountain City.

Design and architectural work began early in 2002. Garry Menendez, landscape architect and past-president of Fountain City Town Hall, was appointed to meet with the Public Building Authority and the architectural firm in the early planning for the new building.

The Lewis Group Architectural Firm has designed a functional building with excellent aesthetics inside and outside. Evans Construction Company will implement the plan. The Groundbreaking will occur on June 6, 2003 at 10:00 a.m. at the site of the new library. The public is encouraged to attend. Construction will begin soon thereafter and completion should occur early in 2004.

Of the total $2,250,000 appropriated by the Commission, $1,615,000 is earmarked for the construction. A 12,000 square foot building is planned--two and one-half times as large as the present library. The plan will make it expandable to 15,000 square feet. In addition to a larger reading room, electronic media area and children’s reading area; the new library will house a meeting room which will be available for community events.

When the bidding process had been completed, the low bid indicated a shortfall of $55,000 to 60,000 which required modification of the roofing material and landscaping. Fountain City Town Hall is spearheading a fund-raising drive to maintain the simulated slate roof and the environmentally-sensitive exterior and landscaping that was in the original design. To maintain the tight construction schedule $40,000 is needed by September 1, 2003 so that the roofing shingles may be ordered early and to avoid impacting the timeline for completion. The remaining funds are needed by December 31, 2003 so the trees, shrub and sod can be ordered and installed prior to the opening of the library in late Spring, 2004.

With the high level of enthusiasm generated in the community, particularly at Honor Fountain City Day on Memorial Day, May 26, almost $3,000 was raised on that day and almost $12,000 in additional contributions are pledged.

You can assist in this effort by contributing your time, your dollars or your influence to fully fund the enhanced roof, appropriate landscaping and other library enhancements to the Fountain City Library Campaign. Call Dr. Joe Black (Chairman, 687-3853), Jamie Rowe (Campaign Treasurer, 688-9525) or Michael Kane (Fountain City Town Hall Chairman, 687-3853) to donate to the fund, to receive a campaign brochure or to volunteer to assist in the campaign. Return to the Homepage and click on "The Fountain City Library Campaign" for additional information.

If "Books are a way up and a way out," and they are, then the Fountain City Library has provided a way up and a way out for the community for almost 75 years. Fountain Citians eagerly await the new library where lifetime learning opportunity for future generations can continue in an even more desirable environment.

(d-fcli17b.doc; 8/26/02, 10/18/02, 5/24/03, 5/28/03)

Thank you for visiting. Return to Homepage.