The Beatties Ford Road Branch of the Public Library of Charlotte & Mecklenburg County (PLCMC) is receiving a long-anticipated and much-needed facelift. The project includes complete renovation of the interior and an expansion that will help the library serve growing needs in this popular and heavily used library branch.

Plans for renovating the Beatties Ford Road branch began in 2002 when the Library revised its 10-year Facilities Master Plan. Funding for the $3,970,000 renovation comes from Mecklenburg County pay-as-you-go funds, which alleviates the necessity to borrow for the project.

“The Beatties Ford Road Branch Library serves more than 130,000 visitors and circulates over 125,000 items each year,” said Library Manager Irish McNair. “This library is obviously well-loved and well-used, and greatly in need of this facelift. The community is excited to see the renovation begin.”

Once completed, the building will have new furnishings and an enhanced interior design. The project will include expanded space for children’s programming, a new space especially for teens, additional meeting room space for community use, more computer workstations, and inviting and welcoming reading areas.

To continue serving the needs of the community, the branch will remain open during most of the renovation, operating 4 days per week. Here are some important dates of which library customers should take note:

• Nov. 7: This is the last day customers will be able to select Beatties Ford Road as a pick-up location for holds. During the renovation, holds will be available for pickup at nearby Freedom Regional Library, 1230 Alleghany Street (adjoining Phillip O. Berry Academy of Technology) or at the customer’s choice of any other PLCMC library.


• Nov. 16: Community meetings held at 3 p.m and 7 p.m. at Beatties Ford Road to share details of the project.


• Nov. 22 - Dec. 1: Beatties Ford Road Branch will be temporarily closed.


• Dec. 2: The branch will reopen with limited hours and services, four days per week. (Hours during the renovation will be Wed. & Thurs. 10-7, Fri. & Sat. 9-6)


• Spring 2011: Anticipated renovation completion date.