Friends of the Milton Library Barn at the Milton Library Branch
Next time you’re at the library, stop by the barn and say ‘hi’. We’d love to show you around! Before there was a Milton Library, there were Friends of the Milton Library. A small group of community members incorporated the FOML on January 8, 2013. Working diligently with Fulton County this group was able to influence the design of the library specific to the needs of Milton residents. Additionally, they were able to preserve one of the historic barns from the Dinsmore property as a space that the FOML would be able to use for book sales and fundraising activities to support the library and the community.
Shortly after the Friends of the Milton Library was formed, it became apparent that we needed a permanent facility to collect, store and sell the books which were to be donated. During that early period, Fulton County bought the Dinsmore farm at the corner of Mayfield Road and Charlotte Drive for the new Milton Library. On that site were two barns. One was salvageable and of relative proper size to house our facility.
The FOML approached the county, and through the help of County Commissioner Liz Hausmann, were able to secure it for our use. The challenge was to dismantle it, place it in storage and rebuild it a year and a half later. Liz also secured space on the property on which to rebuild it and had the county pour a slab on grade.
Starting around May 15, 2015, as the library construction was nearing completion, we were able to start the reconstruction. The reconstructed barn is slightly different in footprint, but does not contain a loft which had been part of the original barn. The barn is fitted with electricity, lighting and an AC unit.
It was through the help of many Board members including Lead Man Bob Meyers, Marsha Spear, Kim and Tom Gauger, Karen Thurman, Mercy Vennel, Gordon Hunter, Paul Kaplan, Dave Shannon, Matt Kunz, and the Project Superintendent, Bill Lusk, that completion was achieved for the Grand Opening on August 20, 2015.
The Shannon Foundation was the major donor for the project. Without their participation, it is doubtful that the project would have been built. This is not to say that many other members of the community didn’t contribute financially. Their generous donations are exhibited as Rocks and Leaves on the Giving Tree which stands in the main foyer of the Library.
Several residents of Milton took interest by donating old tools and artifacts to the Friends of the Milton Library for display in the barn.
