As most people are aware, for several months Southwestern Community College has made the headlines of our local papers for our role in the proposal of a joint-use library with the Fontana Regional Library System.

As a community college, part of our mission is to be a catalyst for community service — removing barriers, creating linkages, building relationships and integrating resources to enhance the quality of life for the people in our community. We do this by partnering with local businesses, community groups, and public entities, such as our public schools and the public library, to build a better future for the people of Jackson, Macon and Swain counties and the Qualla Boundary.

In 1998-99, SCC revised its master plan to include building a new learning resources center/library equipped with multipurpose areas for public or private enterprises located on the edge of campus. The college made public presentations to local, county and state groups in its three-county service area regarding its revised master plan, identifying the specific areas for multi-purpose use. Shortly thereafter, the Jackson County commissioners approached SCC regarding the feasibility of constructing a joint-use library to expand the operations and services of the existing downtown Jackson County library to achieve their need for a new library facility.

For 40 years, SCC has served and educated the communities it serves and will continue to do so. The offer to build a joint-use library on SCC’s Jackson Campus was extended solely to provide the community with a solution to a perplexing problem.

From the inception of discussions regarding the need to build a new library, the Board of Trustees of Southwestern Community College on all occasions made it clear that we do not oppose construction of a downtown library or one anywhere else. While we offer our full support to the commissioners in their efforts to find a solution that appeases the community while meeting its needs, the board of trustees believes a referendum forcing citizens to choose between a library located at SCC or a downtown location would be divisive and hurtful to both the community and the college.

SCC supports the efforts of the Fontana Regional Library System to offer the citizens of Jackson, Macon and Swain counties the finest services and facilities possible. Further, SCC supports the commissioners in their continued effort to seek a positive resolution to the issues regarding the development of expanded and improved library services for the people of Jackson County.

We fully support efforts to seek out and explore downtown and alternative locations; however, SCC is obligated to move forward with the implementation of its master plan, which includes the building of a library/conference/classroom facility on its Jackson Campus. If it is determined that the construction of a downtown library by the commissioners is not feasible and that a joint-use library best meets the needs of the county, the college would reconsider such a proposal assuming sufficient time remains for adequate planning and construction.


Conrad Burrell,
Chairman, SCC Board of Trustees

Dr. Cecil Groves,
SCC President