Growing Together: The New Gibsonville Public Library
Latest update:
At a special meeting in March 2026, the Gibsonville Board of Aldermen agreed that the Town’s purchase of over 4 acres of downtown property on Eugene street provided an optimal location for a new library facility.
Previously, the new library was planned for a 5 acre lot on Minneola street, past the Community Center on the way out of town. When this property was purchased, it was the closest (and only) space available anywhere near the downtown area.
Changing the expected location of a new library building to the Eugene street property means that existing plans will need to be adjusted. There is currently no definite timeline for construction.
Project Overview
In December 2021, the Town of Gibsonville purchased approximately 5 acres of land at 502–564 Minneola Street to build a new library that can better serve all of Gibsonville’s residents. Following a consultant-led planning project in 2022 that gathered extensive community input, the Town selected Clearscapes Architecture + Art to design a facility that reflects our community’s vision.
After a period of exploration in 2024 to evaluate alternate funding and renovation options (such as the Minneola Mill), the project reached several critical milestones in late 2025:
- Schematic Design (SD) Completion: Final schematic designs were completed and approved in October 2025.
- Design Development (Current Phase) Completion: Technical systems, interior materials, and furniture layouts refined based on existing plan.
The Vision for the New Facility
The new library will be a modern, one-story facility designed to serve a projected population of 20,000–24,000 residents. It will include:
- Expanded Children & Teen Spaces: Dedicated areas for early literacy and young adult collaboration.
- Community Hub: A large multipurpose room with a kitchen for events, alongside a community art gallery.
- Flexible Workspaces: Small study rooms and quiet reading areas to accommodate remote work and tutoring.
Funding
The total estimated construction cost is $11M. The Town intends to fund the bulk of the project through a USDA Community Facilities Direct Loan, which provides low-interest financing for essential rural infrastructure. The Town is also working to secure additional public and private funds to minimize total debt.
Why Now?
Our current library operates out of a 2,400-square-foot building constructed in 1937. At just 0.25 square feet per capita, we rank 78th out of 84 North Carolina libraries in size, yet our community uses the library at rates significantly higher than the state average. This new facility will ensure we continue “Growing Together” for generations to come.
If you have question or would like more information about the library facility project, you can find dates for upcoming public meetings as well as contact information for the Board of Aldermen at gibsonvillenc.org.
