As the Camp Verde Community Library nears the opening of its new 17,000-square-foot facility, it’s important to understand how much local effort went into making the new library a reality.
“The number of people involved is in the hundreds,” Linda Harkness of Citizens Committee for the Camp Verde Library said. “It has been an exciting development caused by the cooperative effort of many people in a small town.
“It took about seven years of auctions, rummage sales, contests, fundraisers, talent shows and openly asking for money before CCCVL was able to hand over a check for $417,000 to the town for construction.”
Harkness began a relationship with the library in 1999, when she joined the Camp Verde Library Endowment group. By putting on the Denim and Lace Auction and Dinner, the group increased the Arizona Community Fund account for the long-term benefit of the library.
Harkness and others had hopes for a new facility — in fact, an architect had designed a $7.5 million two-story brick building, displaying the model in the existing library — but all plans came to naught.
“So, we started talking among ourselves,” Harkness said. “We came in front of council several times, asking for support for a new library. One council member dryly suggested we form a group and have bake sales to earn money for the library.
“So, we did. We formed the nonprofit CCCVL. In order to do fundraising, we needed a total cost to construct. The brick building by then was estimated by the design architect to cost $14 million.”
The CCCVL switched tactics, proposing the same sized facility in steel. The construction expense dropped to $2.5 million.
According to Harkness, several locations were considered, with substantial opposition to building near the existing library because it is located in the floodway, requiring additional engineering to make it safe and compliant.
“I have a construction background, so I was able to talk to engineers and surveyors who gave me the information to determine the real cost to build in a floodway,” Harkness said. “It was minimal. And building on property that the town already owned saved money.”
Local architect Joel Westervelt agreed to back the construction of a metal building with the contingency that the facade would reflect a more traditional, regionally appropriate aesthetic.
“The library design makes use of the vernacular motif, which is a design philosophy that emphasizes regional context,” Westervelt stated. “Buildings must fit in and have a sense of place; in this case, Camp Verde. It makes use of native materials, local building forms and traditions. We can find many examples of this type of architecture in the Verde Valley.
“The design uses a simple, economical form. It is reminiscent of early agricultural buildings in the Verde Valley. The walls and roof are primarily corrugated metal. The cost savings in economy of design allows for quality features, refined detailing and other amenities.”
The design was approved by Camp Verde Town Council. Shortly thereafter, in 2010, Larry Watkins arranged for $250,000 of his mother Kay Watkins’ estate to be donated to the construction of the new library. Another payout from recently passed donor Mary Lyons also brought funds to the table.
“My mother and I gave about a quarter million dollars,” Watkins said, adding that his mother died in 2012, well before she could see the new building. “They did need a new library. I just hope it works out. It’s beautiful and everybody likes it …. I would like to do anything to help Camp Verde.”
“By then, I was told by Russ Martin, the town manager, that the town felt they had no other choice than to approve construction, as private funding and donations were approaching $1 million,” Harkness said. “It was easily the most supported project desired by the community.”
In 2014, former CVL Teen Programs Manager Sebra Choe brought together members of the Camp Verde Community Library’s Teen Advisory Board to speak on behalf of the need for a new library.
“Teens Celeena Johnson, Bill Cook and Janine Bearheels and a few others shared their personal stories of how the library changed their lives,” Choe stated. “Right after they spoke, the most outspoken protesters softened their case and began echoing a few of their sentiments, showing they were beginning to understand the significance of libraries beyond housing books.
“The teens were instrumental in affecting public opinion on the matter. The library, for them, was home — a safe place, where the people felt like family, where they experienced invaluable opportunities: College tours, civic engagement, leadership roles and having a place to belong.”
For approximately half a year, CVL Youth Services Manager Nadia Torabi has worked in the existing facility, which is scheduled to be demolished following the move to the new library. She said that she understands the sentimentality about the old library, as well as the cost for a new library.
“I know a lot of people want to use what we have now, but it’s just too small. I think it’ll bring more people in, more people together,” Torabi said. “When we get little updates [about the construction], it’s a huge sigh of relief. We’re so excited.”
