Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: THURSDAY, December 23, 1993                   TAG: 9312230168
SECTION: VIRGINIA                    PAGE: C4   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: KAREN BARNES STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: BEDFORD                                LENGTH: Medium

A SHELF FOR EVERY BOOK IN THE `NEW' BEDFORD LIBRARY

The 10-year-old Bedford resident was reading "Still More Scary Stories for Sleepovers."

Although he said he does not often go to the library, he probably will go to the expanded library more frequently.

While searching the library computer for information on Somalia for an English paper, 16-year-old Summer Salyer of Thaxton commented that she uses the library to study but looks forward to the opening of the improved library.

"I think we need more computers," she said. "When I usually come, I have to wait for someone to get off one."

Seven golden shovels broke the first ground for the $2 million library shortly after noon Wednesday.

Plans call for renovating the 1942 building and adding two wings.

With 26,500 square feet, the new facility will more than triple the size and also leave room for expansion.

The first floor will house the book collection as well as staff, leaving the second story for future use.

With all that space, almost 20,000 books that are now in storage can be placed on the shelves, said Sandra Richardson, circulation manager.

"When we move into that new building, we hope we don't have to use the word `storage,' " she said.

Karen Nuzzo, president of the Friends of the Bedford Public Library, said her group will establish an endowment to purchase new books.

"This is a bountiful Christmas present for Bedford."

City Councilman Skip Tharp, who was chairman of the library effort, said more than $481,000 has been pledged, including one gift from Guam and a $1.16 donation from a young child who wanted her allowance to go to the library.

Construction should be completed within 18 months.