Residents press for new Fletcher library as county library director reports record usage

Public comment at the March 2 Henderson County commissioners meeting included appeals for a new library in the Town of Fletcher, and the board heard a detailed operations update from Library Director Trina Rushing.

Two residents, Eliabeth Hill and Milton Butterworth, spoke in support of a new Fletcher library, citing inadequacies in the current facility and the community’s need for modern amenities. Later in the meeting Library Director Trina Rushing presented 2024–25 system statistics: 1,069,288 total collection uses (about 9.02 uses per resident) and 369,059 library visits (about 3.02 visits per resident), both figures notably above the stated state averages.

Commissioner Sheila Franklin and Rushing described specific problems at the Fletcher branch, including deteriorating sidewalks that pose trip hazards, rotting fascia, limited programming space, and accessibility challenges for patrons. Rushing said the current library building and parking area were constructed in 1988 and are owned by the Community Foundation of Henderson County; the county does not own the property.

Chairman William Lapsley requested that board members receive a draft of the library’s strategic plan, which Rushing said is expected to be completed in June. The board did not take formal action on library construction at the March 2 meeting; public commenters urged that the Board consider a new facility for Fletcher as part of longer‑term planning.

The board asked staff to provide the draft strategic plan to members when it is available and to continue evaluating facility needs across the system.