Construction underway on Orrville library after a decade of plans and delays

After nearly a decade of planning and delays, construction is now underway on Orrville’s new public library. 

The new facility, located on Main Street next to Town Hall, is expected to be completed by March, when Mayor Louvenia Lumpkin plans to host a grand opening ceremony. 

Plans started for the library in 2016, during Lumpkin’s second term, but the town struggled to come up with the $400,000 needed to build it. 

In 2023, Congresswoman Terri Sewell allocated $500,000 in federal funding to the library. It was one of 15 community grants to split $42.8 million designated for the 7th district from the 2023 Omnibus Government Funding Package.  

A ground breaking ceremony was held in December 2023, but then the project stalled.

Lumpkin said that when dealing with the federal government, it takes time to get the funding secured. There were also material shortages. 

“I’d rather wait two years and have a zero balance than put the town in debt for 20 or 30 years,” Lumpkin said. “Now Orrville has a library, but we’re not in debt. That makes a big difference.”  

The grant is managed by Carol Stallman, a grant writer for the Dallas County Commission, who was hired as project manager to oversee compliance and contractor coordination.  

Randolph and King Construction of Lowndes County is leading the build, which has faced delays due to material shortages and requirements of government-funded projects.  

The library will be stocked with more than 30,000 donated books from the Selma-Dallas County Public Library, along with furniture provided by Alabama RC&D. A separate $25,000 grant from Malika Fortier will fund computers and Wi-Fi access, making Orrville one of the few communities in southern Dallas County fully equipped with broadband, Lumpkin said. 

The ribbon cutting is scheduled for March 2026, with Sewell expected to attend. Lumpkin said the celebration will include food, music and community activities. 

“We’re going to have art classes, music classes and a place where children can read and learn without having to leave town,” Lumpkin said. “I’m just excited. I can’t wait.”  

Beyond the library, Orrville is exploring the purchase of land for a new baseball complex, aimed at giving local children a place to play without traveling outside the community. Lumpkin said donations are welcome, but securing property remains the first priority.  

“This is something we’ve never done before,” Lumpkin said. “But I can assure everyone it’s going to be done right.”  

See a video interview with Lumpkin about the library here.