Looking Back

20 years ago

December 26, 1996

Library work on budget and on time for mid-Feb. Reopening

Those extra windows in the new library addition couldn’t be any more welcome as things just keep looking brighter for the county library. “There haven’t been any surprises we haven’t been able to handle,” said Ellen Miller, North Regional Manager for the Spokane County Library District.

The multi-million dollar expansion project currently underway at Cheney’s branch will allow the library to have more references, books, and everything else that goes along with a library—as well as allowing it to serve as the regional library for the West Plains. The money for the expansion came from a bond issue passed a year ago. And so far, the cost of the remodel and expansion has been right on track, Miller said. “We just went into it with our eyes open,” she said. That, combined with an excellent team of planners, managers and contractors, have made everything go so well. As passers-by can see, the outside walls are up and the addition has a roof over its head as the snow continues to fall.

Experience follows new director

You could say she has given her life to helping other people. In fact, when this veteran of the social work industry landed back in Cheney after 13 years, she had traveled the world in order to help people—that’s just how she is. So it just seemed right that Carol Beason take over the role of director of Cheney Outreach after Mike Sawicki left the end of November. “I think whenever you come into a new agency, you have to step back and see how things are working,” Beason said.

That’s what she has been doing—watching and learning, but now it’s time for her to put a little of her style into the Outreach. With plans of increasing public education, volunteers and publicity, Beason said she would like to see the Outreach come up with more funding to help more people. When Cheney Outreach began in 1990, 173 families were helped with everything from electrical payments to bus passes. This year, through the end of November, Cheney Outreach has helped 1,097 families—totaling 2,1010 individuals.