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The Elon Board of Aldermen swore in its recently elected officials Monday and got a look at the designs for the new Elon public library.

“Our committee is very excited, and we are committed to the plans you will see tonight,” said Beth Schmidt, the Library Building Committee chairwoman and former Elon mayor.

Ben Benson from Jenkins Peer Architects and Henry Myerberg from HMA2 Architects showcased the drawing plans for the library. Myerberg said the library’s design was inspired by the idea of nestling the building into the natural flora of Beth Schmidt Park, where the library will be built.

Taking the nature-inspired plans into account with the library’s design, Myerberg explained the building’s roof, which he described as “leaf-like.”

The library can be separated into two main sections: the children’s section in back, and the adult section in front. In the center of the building would be the computer stations, where visitors can access digital resources.

Benson and Myerberg said this trend of centralizing the computer section is a growing one among libraries, contrary to most designs where the computers are situated against the back wall or a corner of the library.

The designs were met with high public praise at the meeting, with one individual saying that with these designs, the library will be a crown jewel in Alamance County.

One woman said she liked how the library reminded her of a Barnes & Noble’s book store.

Myerberg said he believes the library will provide more resources, especially digital ones, than a book store, saying, “We want Barnes & Noble’s to look at these kinds of libraries and say, 'Wow! We need to change our stores.’”

Benson set a cost estimate for the library at $150 and $200 per square foot.

Mayor Jerry Tolley said that the hard economic times were constraining the project’s progress, budget-wise.

Friends of Alamance County Public Libraries has already pledged $50,000 for books and supplies for the library.

Benson said that because of the economic downturn, construction costs are actually lower, adding that quick action would be necessary to capture and take advantage of the lower costs.

Shirley Beyer, head of finance for the Alamance County library committee, said she is eager and ready to start fundraising.

After the presentation, the board held its swearing-in ceremonies. Incumbent Mayor Jerry Tolley and incumbent Alderman Davis Montgomery were both sworn in along with a new alderman, Stephen Buff. Buff is replacing Jo Grimly on the board.

Tolley asked Buff to consider serving as the town treasurer, Appearance Commission liaison and on the Animal Task Force to fill the vacant spots.

Tolley also recommended either Alderman Mark Greene or Alderman Ron Klepcyk to serve as the board’s liaison to the Library Building Committee, the position previously held by Grimley.

The board will decide on these positions at its next meeting on Tuesday evening.

David Koontz is a senior journalism major at Elon University. Contact him at david.r.koontz@gmail.com