Dateline: May 3, 2001

Burton Library receives $97.5k from estate 

Roger Estlack, Clarendon Enterprise

Christmas has come early for the local city-county library this year thanks to the estate of Mary Stocking McConnell.

The Gabie Betts Burton Memorial Library has received a check from that estate in the amount of $97,500.

Librarian Carolyn Blackerby says the library has been a beneficiary of Mrs. McConnell’s estate in the past, receiving smaller amounts from interest on a trust. The generous sum received in April is a partial termination distribution of the estate, according to a letter from a Bank of America representative.

The bank is reportedly in the process of completing the administration of the estate, and a smaller, final payment will be made to the library at a later date.

The money comes with no apparent strings attached other than it must be used for the library; and while there are several pressing needs, Blackerby has zeroed in on a project she hopes to see undertaken completed.

“We plan to use the money as seed money for a grant to remodel the second floor of the library,” she said.

Currently the upstairs area is unfinished. Part of it is used for storage and mechanical purposes, but most is underutilized space.

“The library should be for everyone in the community,” she said, “and we want to make sure it is just that way.”

Blackerby envisions the upstairs being used for meeting rooms, a literacy training area, periodical archives, and genealogy research. Access to the approximately 2,750 square foot second floor would be made easier by the installation of an elevator.

No plans have been carved in stone yet, but Blackerby has already contacted an elevator company for an estimate and plans to consult an architect regarding the feasibility of the project.

A portion of the estate’s gift may also be used to update the library’s reference material, she said.

Over the last year and a half, the Burton Library, which is jointly operated by the City of Clarendon and Donley County, has come to be utilized more and more by local people.

“Our traffic has doubled,” says Blackerby. “We started at 30 to 40 people a day. Now, it’s not unusual to have nearly 100 people daily.”

In addition to traditional research and reading, the Burton Library has become a popular meeting place for various groups – most notably the Donley County Tourism Council – and has enjoyed an up tick of activity thanks to the availability of Internet access. Many travelers stop to use the library to check their e-mail.

The surge in daily visitors has necessitated the addition of another full time employee. Recently city aldermen and county commissioners approved increasing Sabrina Burrow’s hours, moving her from part time to full time as of this week.

The Burton Memorial Library is open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and on Saturday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.