A library card doesn’t just allow the borrowing of books anymore. At the newly re-vamped Greene County Library, a library card allows consumers a chance to borrow audio books, videos and DVDs as well as plenty of research material. The library features a collection that spans 45,000 materials and will now include new media rooms and special features.

Jackie Broderick has been the librarian for 16 years and has always had a lifetime love of reading.

“I was in the military and when I got out, I wanted a change. I wanted to go back to work at a job that I loved. Since I loved reading, I thought that I’d apply at the library. I soon found out that being a librarian was so much more than reading, as I am in charge of overseeing all of the library operations,” Broderick said.

The library hasn’t always been at 610 S. Main St. in Greensboro. The book haven used to be located where the Historical Society now meets. Broderick remembers when book fines were a penny. The fines have increased to 10 cents a day.

The original structure has remained intact, however the inside of the library has been replaced with a Classical Revival style that is both warm and inviting as well as professional.

“We started talking about seven or eight years ago about adding more shelving units, as we were in desperate need for space. We had lighting and plumbing issues as well. We have brought a lot of things up to code, like handicap accessibility and ventilation in the bathrooms,” Broderick said. “The air conditioning unit was replaced as well.”

Officially construction began in Sept. of 2010, and the library moved into the gym in the back of the Board of Education building. The space was a little darker than Broderick would have liked but was thrilled by the fact that not a single collection had to be moved to storage.

“The space worked out so well. We had to run data lines to give patrons wireless Internet, but we are extremely grateful to the Board of Education for allowing us to utilize the building,” Broderick said.

Carter & Watkins Associates Architects, Inc. out of Monroe, decided to utilize the original library structure and remodel the inside. Joe Watkins and the firm helped to create the layout and overall look of the library.

“The project was right at 1.2 million dollars,” Watkins said. “The library is almost 12,000 square feet. We have wired the library in order to have the most up-to-date service for Internet, as well as created a media room that features surround sound.”

Funds to construct the library were garnered from SPLOST funds, which the state matched.

The library also has a new security system that will allow those in charge of materials to keep a closer eye on them. The new security system will insure that if a book is missed at checkout, it can instantly be recorded digitally.

“Our new system will let us keep better track of our materials. If a book is missed, as it is carried out of the doors, our system will record that that book is out of the library. We also have 32 new computers and a self-checkout kiosk in one of our circulation stations,” Broderick said.

A strong WiFi connection will be available to consumers and the signal is so strong that it can be picked up in the parking lot. If the library is closed, patrons can still come to the library to use the Internet.

“I want people to feel welcome. We want to be able to serve all of their reading, recreational, job and educational needs. We want to serve the community, and I want people to instantly feel the southern hospitality. This space is both elegant and comfortable,” Broderick said.

A soft opening for the library will take place on Aug. 1 in order to commence business as usual. A grand opening will take place on Aug. 8, complete with a celebration at 3:30 p.m. and the entire community is invited free of charge. Refreshments will be served as compliments of the Greene County Friends of the Library.

To obtain a library card, one must be 18-years-old or older as well as be in possession of picture identification.

“If you are one day old, your parents can bring you in to get a library card. Anyone can have a library card, but you must have a parent if you are under the age of 18 and they must show their I.D. It doesn’t cost a dime to have a library card, and we have so much to check out,” Broderick said.

The library will be open on Monday from 10 a.m. until 6 p.m., Tuesday from 10 a.m. until 8 p.m., Wednesday through Friday from 10 a.m. until 6 p.m., Saturday from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m., and Sunday from 2 p.m. until 5 p.m. The library can be reached via phone at (706) 453-7276.