After more than a year of thoughtful planning and coordination between the Village of Pinehurst and the Given/Tufts Organization, the Village announced the approval of a final agreement that transfers ownership of the Given Memorial Library and Tufts Archives to the Village of Pinehurst. This transfer will ensure the perpetual delivery of enhanced library and archives services to our community.
The projected transfer date is April 15, 2022.
During the September 14 Village Council meeting, the Asset and Service Transfer Agreement was executed by the Given/Tufts Organization and the Village of Pinehurst, making the acquisition official.
“I wish to thank the Directors of the Given Memorial Library and Tufts Archives for working with the Village Council and staff to achieve our mutual goal of ensuring quality library and archive services for the Village of Pinehurst,” said Mayor John Strickland. “I also recognize the valuable input provided by our residents, consultants, and others involved in the process. As a result, we now have a great plan for moving forward.”
Along with the real property located at 150 Cherokee Rd., the Village will also assume the lease for the Old Post Office Building located at 95 Cherokee Rd., which houses the used book shop, and will continue the sublease for the Roast Office.
The Given Tufts Organization will donate its collections, furnishings, and iconic building on the Village Green to the Village for the perpetual benefit of all Pinehurst residents.
“We are grateful to the Given and Tufts families and countless other private donors who have made free library and archive services available to Pinehurst residents for decades,” said Given Memorial Library and Tufts Archives Board of Directors Member Stuart Mills. “The Organization’s new public/private partnership with the Village will enable us in time to significantly improve these services.”
The Organization will also continue to hold and manage its roughly $3 million endowments to benefit library and archive operations and lead future fundraising campaigns to contribute funding for library and archive improvements.
“We express our gratitude to Audrey Moriarty, our executive director, librarian, and archivist and all the Given/Tufts staff, for their leadership of this process,” said Mills.
In anticipation of the transfer, the Village budgeted $1 million for near-term improvements to the library and archives in Fiscal Year (FY) 22. The Village also plans to execute a significant expansion to the library and archives beginning soon after the 2024 US Open. Design work for this expansion will start late in FY 22.
“We fully recognize the importance of high-quality library services to a vibrant and healthy community as well as the significance of preserving the archival evidence of our unique history for the benefit of all of us,” said Village Manager Jeff Sanborn. “Therefore, we are very pleased that we could complete this strategically important agreement.”
For more information on the Given Memorial Library and Tufts Archives acquisition, call 910-295-1900.
Feature photo by Sandhills Sentinel Photographer John Patota.
Contributed.
