DR. DANIEL BARRON "We've really, really got to reach those kids because that's the next generation of either library users or library down-the-tubers."

As Moss Memorial Library seeks expansion efforts, two roadblocks prevent brisk progress ahead.

"Parking at the library is a major problem," Dr. Daniel Barron told county residents regarding his findings from a survey.

In fact, only 40 percent of respondents said that they were "very satisfied" with the library parking, the lowest percentage in the survey.

Parking issues, however, are a miniscule concern compared to the prospect of moving Anderson Road, which runs in front of the library. Barron said his goal was to have the road rerouted by next spring.

"We need to think about the cost of rerouting the road," Barron said. "The road is a major concern, period."

Wesley Grindstaff, a district engineer with the North Carolina Department of Transportation, offered his advice about rerouting the road.

"Is it possible? Anything's possible. You can do anything," he told citizens, cautioning that the DOT would not, however, support full abandonment of the road. "I think it's certainly possible to do a relocation of that roadway and I'm comfortable and confident to tell you that given enough resources, [the DOT] could put a design together that would be much better."

WESLEY GRINDSTAFF "I don't know of funds that are available for this... I'm sure everybody knows road construction is a terribly, terribly expensive endeavor."

Grindstaff estimated that a 600-700 foot relocation, as would be the case, would cost around $500,000.

"I don't know of funds that are available for this," he said. "I'm sure everybody knows road construction is a terribly, terribly expensive endeavor."

A considerable amount of material would have to be moved in in order to build the roadbed to a level matching that of Myers Chapel as well as Tusquittee Rd., Grindstaff said.

Getting a lot of support from the town and county should be the library's first objective, he explained. Grindstaff said that the library needed to acquire the services of an engineering firm to make a more detailed plan that would meet DOT standards and ask for a cost estimate.

"If you can get that road moved, even if you didn't do anything else to the building, it would be a lot safer," Barron said.

Barron also said that the library's sidewalk was a hazard and noted that seniors and young children need safer access to the facility.

One person he interviewed said that the ramps at the library "are a joke."

"That sidewalk right now is dangerous, really dangerous," he said. "Fortunately no one's been hurt, so far."

E-mail Harrison at hkeely@ SmokyMountainSentinel.com.