Last fall, the Northwest Georgia Regional Library asked the
Dalton-Whitfield Archway Partnership for assistance in creating a Workforce
Development Center in the ground level of the Dalton library. With an eye towards a promising grant
opportunity, the library specifically asked for help developing a functional
design plan for the space that would utilize existing resources and amenities
but create a bright new space for learning.
After conversations with Archway Coordinator of Operations, Sue
Chapman, Associate Director and Interior
Design Chair of the Lamar Dodd School of Art, Thom Houser, volunteered for the
task. Dr. Houser traveled to Dalton in
December to meet with library staff and tour the room contemplated for the
redesign. He then returned to Athens,
where he and Linda Floyd, Northwest Georgia Regional Library Director,
continued their work long-distance.
In February, Professor Houser returned to Dalton to share the final
plans with Linda Floyd and Library Board Chair, Tangela Johnson. “The plans far exceeded our expectations,
including every element we had requested while allowing the space to flow
seamlessly,” said Linda Floyd. “The
Library Board is very appreciative of everything Archway and Professor Houser
have done to help facilitate this project!”
These plans were presented to an anonymous, generous donor who has
matched a State Legislative approved Allocation of $100,000 with the required
$100,000. Construction on the project
should begin this summer.
The new center will house: one large and one small classroom, tutoring
rooms, a collaborative workspace with table and computers, a technology
helpdesk with library staff, a comfortable seating area with electrical outlets
for laptops and other wireless device usage, copy and fax machines, and
printers. This will be a state-of-the
art learning facility open to the public with free classes.
Linda Floyd (center), stands with Thom Houser at a planning meeting.
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