Wake County is set to expand its public library system with a new addition in the Apex Friendship area, solidifying a commitment to increase accessibility to high-quality library services throughout the region. The decision was reached when the Wake County commissioners approved the purchase of 7.5 acres at the corner of Humie Olive Road and Old U.S. Highway 1, marking a strategic move to service the fast-growing area, according to a report by Wake County's official news.
This development, part of the 2024 voter-approved bond initiative which clocked in at $142 million, earmarks this location for its ample space, advantageous zoning, and proximity to key infrastructure considerations like water and sewer services, the site's selection was a culmination of efforts by the Wake County Board of Commissioners and the Town of Apex Planning Department that evaluated eight potential spaces to ultimately land on this prime spot. Wake County Board of Commissioners Chair Susan Evans hailed the action stating, "This action moves us significantly closer to expanding library services in a fast-growing part of the county," in an announcement that garners attention to how Wake County is shaping its public resources in response to demographic growth and the pressing need to equip communities with educational and informational hubs.
Expected to open its doors in 2029, the Friendship Community Library aims to become a cornerstone for literacy and learning in Apex, featuring a collection ranging from 24,000 to 44,000 books, state-of-the-art public computers, and free Wi-Fi, they're planning a multitude of features including a large multipurpose room singularly designed to host both youth and adult programs, emulating the comprehensive service provided by other community libraries in the Wake County Public Libraries system.
The county has allocated $2,451,800 from the fiscal year 2026 budget for the land acquisition, as part of its Capital Improvement Program and with design and construction slated for 2028 and 2029, the library will play a pivotal role in meeting the objectives of the county's 2024 Library Growth Plan which aims to put every resident within a 10-minute drive of a public library. Echoing the sentiment of inclusiveness and the democratization of information, the plan includes another foresighted project to construct a library in Rolesville, a community currently without one, making it evident that Wake County is intent on closing the gap in library accessibility.
