Library management told the Cedar Rapids Gazette they wondered if it would ever happen. As the city of Marion has grown, so has the need for a new library, and it will now become a reality.

After a long and frustrating search for a new piece of land to call home, including the Marion Square Plaza negotiations that fell through. Marion city and library officials finally watched crews break ground on Thursday on a 50,000 square foot site.

It's scheduled to open in 2022, more than 10 years, according to KCRG, from the time they started making plans for the move. They became homeless after the derecho, which damaged the building they were in since 1996 and destroyed 20 percent of their collection, at 1095 6th Ave. Since then, they've been using a temporary location at 1064 7th Ave.

Their new destination has finally been chosen and after over a decade of planning, a one-block move will give them twice the space.

It won't just be a spot to check out books and movies, says Marion Library director Holly Trenary. They want it to be a center for the community.  She told KCRG:

What we mean by that is not just space for more books...we’re looking to gain meeting room space, a demonstration kitchen, where we can have classes and serve meals, we’re going to have room for major exhibits

Congratulations to the library staff and the community of Marion.

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