Residents and elected officials gathered outside the future location of the Leanna Hicks Public Library at 2500 Hamlin Street in Inkster this past Saturday for a ground-breaking ceremony. Attendees included members of the Inkster Library Board and Friends of the Leanna Hicks Library, Inkster Mayor Byron Nolen, County Commissioner Glenn Anderson, and family members of Leanna Hicks.

Library Director Donna Sherrill says construction on the new library will begin early in August. The library's previous building on Inkster Road in downtown Inkster was permanently closed early in 2018 due to severe building problems. The library has been operating at a temporary location at 1086 Inkster Road since last August.

Architect Steven Schneemann with Merritt Cieslak Design, explained that the current build ing structure will be renovated and expanded to include a large children's section. "It's a great vision, I think, for Inkster, and I'm very humbled and privileged to be a part of it," he told those in attendance.

Mayor Nolen addressed the attendees. "It's been a long time coming, I'm glad to see the ground-breaking today. I'm glad to see the Hicks family out here and they should be proud of that legacy," he said, speaking of Leanna Hicks, who still resides in the community. He encouraged everyone to vote to pass the upcoming Library Millage renewal which will guarantee services and maintenance to the new library.

"A lot of people think that libraries are a thing of the past," said Commissioner Anderson. "That's not true, and not only that, I think it's a great equalizer in our communities...this is a place of knowledge, a place where people can basically get things that society sometimes forgets to provide for them."

Terrence Hicks, grandson of Leanna Hicks, addressed the crowd as well. "It's important to be here today at this momentous occasion because I think that's what strong communities do-strong communities name buildings after their own." He added, "My grandmother, she created a legacy of leadership, education and service." He said having a library in the city provides an additional educational option for youth and will help promote education.

Library Board President Akindele Akinyem said, "Today's event is historic." He praised the city's development of a 10,000 square foot modern library, adding that a revived library system would help to

restore education and implement cultural arts. "We hope and pray that we're creating a legacy for generations to come with this library," he added.

The new library will feature space for an expanded collection of books and e-books, a large children's section, a teen area, a multi-purpose room, a computer lab, work rooms with Wi-Fi, and ample parking. The new library is expected to open to the public in March 2020.