JHLS to receive federal grant to help the Eudora Welty Library. See what the plans are

Charlie Drape, Mississippi Clarion Ledger
Updated ·2 min read
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The Jackson Hinds Library System is set to receive $3.75 million in federal grant funds to help with the recovery of the Eudora Welty Library.

Jackson Mayor Chokwe Antar Lumumba made the announcement during a Monday press conference, along side Peyton Smith, the chairman of the JHLS board of trustees and Floyd Council, the executive director of JHLS.

"This money, $3.75 million, is a tremendous first step in restoring library service to downtown Jackson," Smith said.

Books and other items will soon be moved to the Jackson Medical Mall, Council said, for storage. A temporary location for the flagship library is yet to be announced, but it will be somewhere downtown, Smith said. About 70% of the move is complete, according to JHLS press release.

From Left: Jackson Mayor Chokwe Antar Lumumba, Peyton Smith, chairman of the JHLS Board of Trustees and Floyd Council, executive director of the JHLS, pose with a federal grant check that will be used to help with recovery efforts for the Eudora Welty Library.
From Left: Jackson Mayor Chokwe Antar Lumumba, Peyton Smith, chairman of the JHLS Board of Trustees and Floyd Council, executive director of the JHLS, pose with a federal grant check that will be used to help with recovery efforts for the Eudora Welty Library.

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Smith explained to the Clarion Ledger that "in all likelihood the funds will be used for the renovation of a new building in downtown."

In March 2023, the City of Jackson’s Office of Planning & Development and Library Board prepared a HUD Congressional Directed Spending Grant request at the invitation of the Office of U.S. Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith, R-Brookhaven. On March 9, President Joe Biden signed the $460 billion spending bill, which includes the historic funding for Jackson’s Eudora Welty Library.

The Jackson Hinds Library System is set to receive $3.75 million in federal grant funds to help with the recovery of the Eudora Welty Library, the City of Jackson's downtown, flagship library.
The Jackson Hinds Library System is set to receive $3.75 million in federal grant funds to help with the recovery of the Eudora Welty Library, the City of Jackson's downtown, flagship library.

More on downtown library: What are the plans for Eudora Welty Library? Archives and History wants it for green space

The current downtown location for the Eudora Welty Library has been closed since last summer, after facing various maintenance issues over the past several years. The Clarion Ledger first reported that the city had plans to tear down the library in September.

In December, the Jackson City Council voted unaninmously to approve the transfer of the Eudora Welty Library building and property to the Mississippi Department of Archives and History.

MDAH plans to create a green space after demolishing the building. In 2023, Mississippi state lawmakers allocated $2 million for the project.

Multiple libraries throughout the city have been in a state of disrepair for years. The Medgar Evers Library was closed for a time last year due to maintenance issues, as well as the Richard Wright Library, which has been closed since 2020 due to needed plumbing repairs.

This article originally appeared on Mississippi Clarion Ledger: Jackson MS flagship library receives federal grant. See how much