The non-profit organization, Citizens For a Better Grand Bay, has initiated a new project that will not only bring a public library to our area, it will provide a venue for highlighting the agriculture and history of our town and provide a public space to hold outdoor events.

It’s only in the beginning stages, but Grand Bay could soon host a branch of the Mobile Public Library and a historic and cultural center in two of its historic buildings.

The current location discussed for this library complex is the Albert Freeland Grocery Store and the Grand Bay State Bank Building, both located south of Hwy 90 in Grand Bay in the designated Historic District of Grand Bay.

A library in Grand Bay will provide access to library amenities that are currently available to other Mobile County residents, such as Internet access and public computer terminals. Grand Bay is currently serviced by the MPL Bookmobile and the closest MPL is in Theodore, some 13 miles from Grand Bay.

Having a historical center in the Albert Freeland Store will give residents and visitors an opportunity to learn and experience the history of the Grand Bay community. Holding events such as Market Days and festivals on the adjacent land will help fund the library/museum complex.

This project will require the purchase and renovation of both buildings and the purchase of adjacent land on Freeland Lane and Dezauche Lane in the center of the old town area.

The Library Complex Project would be completed in several phases, with emphasis on the completion of the library at the beginning of the project.

Representatives from Citizens for A Better Grand Bay, Aleta Boudreaux and Calep Lewis, formally presented the project idea and request for the purchase of the land and buildings to the Mobile County Commissioners on November 5^th at their scheduled agenda meeting.

While no County commitment to the project was made, Commissioner Dean stated that he was in favor of the project, but that the Grand Bay community would need to get behind the project to help find funding. Commissioner Nodine suggested that the Grand Bay Library Committee contact the Friends of the Semmes Library to find out how they completed their successful library campaign.

In a previous letter to Ms. Boudreaux, Commissioner Ludgood stated that, "It sounds like a wonderful project. Projects such as the one you describe are good for the community but they need to be self-sufficient."

The initial cost to purchase the buildings and land and to renovate the Grand Bay Bank building, and to stock and staff the library for opening day, would need to be funded by grants, donations and fund raisers.

Spencer Watts, director of the Mobile Public Library, stated in a letter to the Citizens for A Better Grand Bay that the Board of the MPL believe there is a need for a library facility in this area of the county and that a library facility would help the library system meet the information, reading and educational needs of the community.

Both Representative Spencer Collier and Senator Rusty Glover have also given their support to the Grand Bay Library project.

"We hope that the Mobile County Commissioners will assist us with this project as they did with the Semmes Library, recently opened in Commissioner Nodine’s district," Ms Boudreaux stated. "Our group, Citizens For A Better Grand Bay, worked closely with Commissioner Dean to build the Grand Bay-St Elmo Senior and Community Center in 2005, and I believe the commissioners are happy with what we’ve accomplished there."

Ms. Boudreaux also stated that, residents should contact the County Commissioners, their State Legislators and Governor Riley to express their support for this project.

You can find out more information on the Grand Bay Library Complex project by contacting Aleta Boudreaux at 251-656-4576

PROJECT INFORMATION AND PHOTOS

INFORMATION ABOUT EACH BUILDING