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The first Bedford Public Library, located in a small rented house on Bedford Road, opened on June 30, 1964. In 1968, the Library moved to a larger house on Forest Ridge Drive. In 1972 a new City Hall was constructed nearby and the library moved the collection of 19,800 items to the first floor of the new facility. Construction of the present 17,000 square foot building on L. Don Dodson Drive was completed in 1987. In 2001, the city passed an $8.85 million bond package to build a new library facility. Land for the new facility has been purchased directly east of the current building.
In March 2005, a successful property tax rollback election resulted in decreased funding for city services. As a result Bedford Public Library was closed on March 30, 2005. On April 15, 2005, an anonymous donation of $300,000 was given to the City, with $125,000 earmarked for the library. The Friends of the Bedford Public Library held multiple fundraising events that collected in excess of $21,000. On May 3, 2005, the library re-opened for a reduced schedule of 21 hours a week.
Today, the Bedford Public Library is open 7 days a week for a total of 59 hours. The Library contains over 100,000 items including adult and children’s classics, modern best sellers, paperbacks, magazines, DVDs, music CDs and audiobooks. The Information Services Division prides itself on answering questions using authoritative services and educating patrons in how to use these resources. The Library acts as a bridge for the digital divide by providing public computers, online databases, ebooks, free wireless Internet access and computer classes. The Youth Services Division seeks to instill a passion for reading and learning in the children in our community. A host of program opportunities, including toddler and preschool story times, Mother Goose story time, Library Buddies teen tutoring, Bookworms book club and various adult programs are offered. The library continues to search for new and better ways to provide services and to involve itself in the community.
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The Library Board is appointed by the city council to serve as a liason between the library and the citizens of Bedford. The Board advises the library manager and city council in matters related to the library and its services and promotes the library and its programs.
Meetings are held the third Wednesday of each month at 7:00 p.m. in the Library Meeting Room, 1805 L. Don Dodson Drive.
The public is welcome to attend.
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Name |
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Position |
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Term Expires |
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Marianne Lanoue |
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Place 1 |
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2009 |
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Scott Probasco |
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Place 2 |
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2009 |
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Linda Jordan |
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Place 3 |
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2009 |
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Bridgett Gimenez |
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Place 4 |
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2009 |
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Edward Patterson |
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Place 5 |
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2008 |
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Judy Jones |
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Place 6 |
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2008 |
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Ralph Chaney |
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Place 7 |
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2008 |
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Place 8 Alternate |
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Place 9 Alternate |
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Place 10 Alternate |
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Charles Orean |
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Council Liaison |
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Library Board Agendas and Minutes
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1805 L. Don Dodson Drive