Mike Lavendar moved a city water line from under the construction site for the new library. Board members hope to start work on the new library building by the end of the year. (Banner Staff Photo by Don Treul) If it is true that dreams are the foundation of accomplishments, then Bullard will have a new library.

How soon that dream becomes a reality may depend upon the citizens of Bullard.

An initial step was completed last week when a water line once under where the library is planned for construction, was moved (in the area just north of the downtown square). The City of Bullard approved the move and construction workers quickly performed the task.

The new library will mostly be funded by donations. A Capital Campaign Committee has been estab- lished for the library with the chore of obtaining donations from individuals, organizations, businesses or other sources, including possible grants.

“We’re real close to having about half a million (dollars),” said David French, chairman of the Bullard Library Board of Directors. “We’re still a ways from monetarily starting the foundation.”

The goal for funding is $950,000 for construction of the new building. An additional $150,000 will be needed for furnishings for the inside of the new library, and French said it is the board’s goal to start with a $500,000 endowment.

The next step in the progression of construction for the new library is to request a replat for the lots with the Bullard Planning and Zoning Committee, which will make a recommendation to the city council. The lots are zoned for residential, so a zoning change will be required, according to French.

The Bullard Community Library on Main Street is, as they say, busting at the seams. To say that it is cramped for room inside would be an understatement. The need for the new building is obvious to anyone who uses the library, including nearly 8,000 visitors in the past 12 months.

Some pledges have been promised, such as the more than $8,500 from the Bullard Rotary Club. However, some of the pledges have time constraints, so construction will need to start as soon as possible to take advantage of some of the pledges.

Individuals, businesses or organizations interested in making a pledge or donation may contact Martha Dinwiddie at (903) 825-3197. Donations may be made to the Bullard Community Library Capital Campaign, P.O. Box 368, Bullard, TX 75757. Note attention to Dinwiddie (who is the treasurer) on the envelope.

“We’re aggressively trying to fulfill the need,” French said.

It is possible that there will be enough funding to get the curb and gutter started by the end of 2010, he said.

Donations will help accomplish that dream. The Friends of the Library help fund operations at the library and events, such as the annual golf tournament slated for Sept. 13, support operations, but construction on the new library will largely depend on donations.

For more information, call the Bullard Community Library at (903) 894-6125.