WE ARE OPEN!

Mildred L. Terry Public Library

640 Veterans Parkway
Columbus , Georgia 31901
Phone: 706.243.2782
FAX: 706.748.3248

 Current Library Hours Effective June 2, 2009
Monday & Wednesday 10:00 a.m.-8:00 p.m.
Tuesday, Thursday & Friday & Saturday 10:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.
Sunday - Closed

Manager: Silvia Bunn


Demetri and Demarkus, brothers who have been long time patrons of Mildred L. Terry Public Library, were asked what they were going to like the most about the new library. Demetri replied, "It's going to be lots of fun, kind of cool and I am glad there will be 50 computers." Demarkus liked the idea of just a bigger library in general with a lot more books because, "you gotta read to be smart."
De'metri Thomas and Demarkus Battle
Jeanette Isabelle has been coming to the Mildred L. Terry Public Library for many years now and she is excited about the new library as well. She specifically is glad "that access to computers will improve and that everyone will be able to spread out."
Jeannette Isabelle
New Events Calendar!
"To look backward for a while is to refresh the eye,
to restore it, and to render it the more fit for its prime
function of looking forward."
...Margaret Fairless Barber "The Roadmender"
4.223 Square Feet


For over 56 years I have welcomed you to recreation, adventure and learning. As you know, I was the first public library for African Americans in Columbus and was first named the Colored/Fourth Avenue Library. I even operated my own bookmobile to serve “black” elementary schools and outlying counties. My first Librarian was Ms. Mildred Rivers. Many people know her as Ms. Mildred L. Terry. Ms. Terry served this library and the community for over 30 years and I was renamed to honor her dedicated service and love. Through my books I have taken you to places far, far away and beyond. I have sparked your imagination, allowed your creative side to run wild and hopefully I have inspired you. Many of you were brought to me by parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles and brothers and sisters. I especially enjoyed the look on the faces of the children as they checked out their very first book. While you were here, enjoying the pleasure of a book, I hope you made friends.

I am excited about my new look as I move forward to meet the challenges of the future. I will continue to provide that quiet space for you to relax and read, but I have added additional services to meet the needs of the surrounding communities. I can’t wait for the children to enjoy the expanded space for activities, crafts and story times. The teens and adults will be excited about the technology, the meeting rooms and the expanded parking. As I open my new doors to old friends, I hope to welcome new friends and introduce them to the pleasures that only a library can offer.

I am your library and together we will continue to look back and always remember our history, but will also keep our eyes focused on the future and to serving future generations.


16,500 Square Feet

On a recent "hard hat" tour of the new Mildred L.Terry Public Library, Dr. Price Walker, CVL Board Member, and Carolia Malone stated that they were, "extremely impressed with the building and that it was a wonderful addition to the community." Belita Walker, went on to say, "I am not only impressed with the facility, but the amount of thought that has been given to the community it will serve, and how much they will feel at home."
Left to right: Carolia Malone, Belita Walker and her husband, Dr. Price Walker, Jr., Claudya Muller, Director Chattahoohee Valley Libraries (CVL)
QUESTIONS YOU MIGHT HAVE

What will you do with the old Mildred L. Terry?
Because of its physical condition, the building will be taken down, and will be replaced with a reading garden that will honor and commemorate the site.

When will the new Mildred L. Terry library be re-dedicated?
A formal "re-dedication" of the Library will occur after the Reading Garden is completed.

What new services are available at the new library?

• 50 more computers with Wi-Fi access
• Space for Young Adults (none now)
• Meeting Room (Large seats 108) and Pantry (available for rental afterhours )
• Meeting Rooms (3 small)
• Tutoring Rooms (3)
• Quiet browsing room
• Parking

Where has the funding come from?
A total of $4.7 million will be needed to replace the 56 year-old Mildred L. Terry Public Library. the Muscogee County School District's 2003 SPLOST provided for $2.5 million and the remaining $2.2 million will be raised from private donations and grant oppportunities.

Local Gifts:

$200,000 Plus - The Synovus Foundation
$ 40,000 - Sisters, Inc.
$ 25,000 - Muscogee County Friends of Libraries
$ 20,000 - American General Assurance Company
$ 12,500 - Mr. & Mrs. Clifford J. Swift
$ 3,000 - Swift-Illges Foundation, Inc.
$ 1,431 - Brenda Byrd
$ 1,000 - Mrs. L. L. Fortner

Up to $250
The Ebonites Civic & Social Club
Merryll S. Penson
Mimi Childs
Laraine Ware
Ernestine Mathis
Suzanne Barnes
Claudya Muller
Kathleen R. Imhoff
Kwasi Johnson
Georgia Association of Educators
Tony E. Calloway
Denise Huckaby

Gifts in Honor of:
Bob Galer
Art Halouska

I would like to support the new Mildred L. Terry. How can I contribute to the campaign?

Download Brochure

Make a Contribution (PDF)
Gifts made by check or other payment are greatly appreciated.

Make a Pledge (PDF)
A pledge allows you to spread your gift over a longer period of time and may permit you to give stronger financial support.

The branch focuses on “Family Literacy” with programs like: computer classes, a daily Literacy time, GED classes, bi-lingual story times and Spanish classes. Users include residents of surrounding housing complex, visitors and workers in the Uptown area, and students. DVD’s, popular fiction, job hunting, parenting and test-taking resources are in demand. Circulation has risen from 8,000 items in 2001, to almost 70,000 in 2007. Visitor counts have similarly increased.