WS Chronicle

Last week more than 200 people showed up for the ribbon cutting ceremony for the Paddison Memorial Library in Kernersville.

The 20,000 square foot building, which cost $6 million dollars, features a makerspace, a children’s area, three public meeting rooms, a patio area, and an auditorium that can seat over 100 people. The Paddison branch is the third library in Kernersville and was part of the 2010 Bond Referendum, along with a library in Clemmons that is expected to open sometime next year.

During the grand opening on Thursday, Dec. 20, County Commissioner Don Martin said the library, which was named after local physician Dr. John R. Paddison, said the library is the start of a new chapter. Martin, who is vice chair of the Board of Commissioners, said the library is part of the amazing growth Kernersville has seen in the past few years.

“Kernersville is a wonderful community and this is a place to reinforce all that you already have,” Martin said.

Sylvia Spinkle-Hamlin, who is the director of the Forsyth County Public Library system, said the branch in Kernersville has always occupied a prominent place in the community. Before the welcome, ribbon cutting and inviting the public inside to see what the branch has to offer, Sprinkle-Hamlin also thanked the residents of Forsyth County for approving the 2010 bonds, generous donors and friends of the Kernersville Library and staff for making the project possible.

“We hope you enjoy the branch and consider it our Christmas gift to you,” Sprinkle-Hamlin said.

The Paddison Memorial branch is located at 248 Harmon Lane in Kernersville. The branch is open 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Thursday and Friday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, and 1 to 5 p.m. on Sunday. For more information on the Paddison Library branch, visit www.forsyth.cc/Library/.