Technology necessitating New Seneca Library
A hot topic in 2012 was the need for a new Seneca Library. It has been more than 27 years since any construction was done on the Seneca branch of the Oconee County Public Library System and Seneca Librarian Blair Hinson thinks 2013 is a good time for improvements. “There has been a lot of talk about the Seneca branch. We are trying to replace what is probably the oldest branch in the system. Our library as it currently stands over on South 2nd Street was built in 1968 and was renovated and added on to in 1985. So, that library is definitely showing its age. We are proud of it, we are proud of the building and what we have been able to do with it.” Retrofitting the old library with today’s technology has been difficult adds Hinson. “The facility is very limited. When they put the facility up the only outlets needed things for was an electric typewriter and an electric calculator. We have really outgrown it and it no longer meets the needs of the people in Oconee County, not just in Seneca.” The Oconee County Public Library serves many residential needs, one of the biggest is providing citizens with access to the internet, concludes Hinson. “I think a lot of folks today think that with the internet and other things online, what do we need a new library for and I would counter that by saying that it is an issue of access. Oconee County was lucky enough to qualify for a broadband grant and I think we are getting close to seeing that come to fruition with broadband throughout the county. The libraries will be on that system, but there are many folks in the county still on dial up internet. So the libraries will be a place to take advantage of that new high speed internet connection.” The Library Board is currently working with the Oconee County Council on finding the money and means necessary to construct a new library in Seneca. No timeline has been given on the project, however.