Marion Tribune

2A —The Marion Tribune, Thursday, May 30, 2024 LACIE SILVA Editor M arion County’s local librar- ies have seen many chang- es and improvements recently with the addition of three new directors, one for each library. In Marion County there are three libraries, one in Jasper, another in South Pittsburg, and the last in Whitwell. Each city proudly maintains its own library, re- fl ecting the concerted e ff orts since the establishment of the library board in 1972. Over the past 50 years, the commitment from the three cities and the county to support these libraries has remained robust, fostering continuous growth. Although the libraries currently operate some- what independently, there is po- tential for greater cohesion in the future. The dedication of each community is evident in the sig- ni fi cant time and e ff ort invested to ensure the libraries’ success. These libraries have evolved into vital community centers, serving as hubs for various activities and resources. The recent focus has been on transforming them into dynamic community hubs, o ff er- ing a wide array of services and programs beyond traditional book lending. Despite being relatively new to their roles, the directors of all three libraries are enthusi- astic about their plans to make the libraries indispensable focal points within their communities. Their goal is to make the librar- ies accessible and engaging for all residents of all ages, whether they are avid readers or not, and to serve as valuable resources for those in need of assistance or in- formation. Summer reading season is fast approaching, and plans are underway to expand the pro- gram o ff erings to cater to older students. With a desire to engage middle schoolers and even high school students, the schedules are being adjusted to accommo- date the wider age range. In line with this year’s theme, “Adventure Begins at Your Li- brary,” a variety of adventur- ous activities are being planned to captivate the imagination of young readers across all three li- braries. Look for the calendar of events for each library’s summer reading program in the commu- nity calendar section. Meet Ann Gray, Director of the Carolyn Stewart Pub- lic Library Ann Gray, the Director of the Carolyn Stewart Public Library, holds three degrees, includ- ing undergraduate degrees in sociology and history. She also obtained a master’s degree in history with a focus on historic preservation, which is what had initially led her to Marion Coun- ty. Her academic background in historic preservation provided her with insights into urban planning, community develop- ment, and city management. Gray’s professional journey in Marion County began when she served as the director of the Marion County Planning and Development O ffi ce, where she focused on community develop- ment, grants, and city planning. Her enduring passion for history aligns with Marion County’s rich historical heritage, which she fi nds captivating and unique in each town within the county. Many community events oc- cur at the Jasper library provid- ing a crucial gathering space for various community activities, including events for senior citi- zens, story time hour for young children, and the Town of Jasper Mayor and Alderman monthly board meeting. Seniors gather every Tuesday afternoon from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. for their standing appointment, utilizing the space for their activities and socializ- ing. On Wednesdays, the library holds story hour sessions aimed at preschool-aged children, aim- ing to instill a love for storytell- ing and learning. Typically, these sessions attract a group of about 30 individuals, comprising chil- dren and their accompanying parents. The city meeting is held the second Monday of every month. Recent events hosted at the Jasper library include lectures on local CivilWar battles by a Se- wanee professor and presenta- tions by Chattanooga-Hamilton County historian Linda Mines on Marion County’s origins. Marion County’s history, deeply intertwined with events like the Revolutionary War and interac- tions with the Cherokee Nation, continues to intrigue residents eager to learn about their heri- tage despite the changes brought by initiatives like the construc- tion of Nickajack Lake, which submerged many Cherokee set- tlements along the river. Additionally, the library has initiated a homeschooler group, meeting every other Wednesday afternoon, which has seen sig- ni fi cant growth in participation over time. While this group ini- tially faced challenges with so- cial interaction, they have made strides in adapting to public set- tings and building social skills, re fl ecting the evolving dynamic within the community. However, the library’s cur- rent spatial constraints pose a challenge, particularly during events involving children and young adults, where overcrowd- ing becomes apparent. Despite a previous addition to the library in 1988 that introduced a com- munity room, no modi fi cations have been made to the original footprint of the building, high- lighting the pressing need for expanded facilities to accommo- date the community’s growing needs. At the CSPL, Gray leads a dedicated team consisting of several key members, each with distinct roles and responsibili- ties. Linda Thomas serves as the circulation librarian, overseeing interlibrary loan services. Mean- while, Shirley Alder ful fi lls the role of technology librarian, en- suring the smooth operation of technological resources within the library. Carolyn Ferguson holds the position of assistant director, in addition to serving as the children’s librarian, ac- tively involved in organizing and conducting programs for young library patrons. Recognizing the need for collectionmanagement, Gray herself plans to assume some of these duties to ensure comprehensive coverage of li- brary operations. Despite lacking formal training as librarians, the teammembers bring a wealth of experience and expertise to their roles, having navigated numer- ous changes within the library system over the years. Their col- lective knowledge and commit- ment to their work have been instrumental in maintaining the library’s operations and services e ff ectively. The Carolyn Stewart Public Library is located at 14 W 2nd St in Jasper. They are open Mon- day throughWednesday and Fri- days from8 a.m. to 5 p.m. as well as on Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. The library is closed Thurs- days and Sundays. Meet KellyeHogan, Di- rector of the Beene-Pearson Public Library Kellye Hogan, a native of the area, spent her formative years in the region before venturing away for college, where she attended Tennessee Tech University. Fol- lowing her graduation, she em- barked on a journey that took her to various places, including Memphis, Florida, and Colora- do, where she resided for several years. After her travels, Kellye decided to return to her roots in 2020, settling back in and since her return, she has found herself drawn to the local library for vari- ous reasons. Hogan’s current objective is to invigorate the library with amore dynamic atmosphere to trans- form the space into a community led center. Recognizing the press- ing need to provide engaging spaces and activities for children and adults. The aim is to address this gap by reshaping the library into amultifunctional facility that caters to the diverse needs of the community, thereby fostering a sense of belonging and enrich- ment. Since Hogan joined the team, the library has introduced a new program called Crafternoon, which takes place every Tuesday from3 p.m. to 5 p.m. and is spon- sored by the South Pittsburgh Historical Preservation Society. Spearheaded by two young wom- en named Sam and Katie, the program has seen a signi fi cant increase in attendance, with the number of participants growing from just a few to as many as 28 people in recent weeks. The ses- sions, which initially attracted mainly children, have evolved into a popular community event that now includes volunteers to accommodate the growing turn- out. In a recent session, she in- troduced Lucet weaving, a type of cord-makingtechniquewithroots in Viking traditions. Sam’s exper- tise and enthusiasm for crafting, combined with her multicultural background and pro fi ciency in multiple languages, have made her a valued asset to the library’s programming e ff orts. The hands- on activities she organizes, using yarn and other materials, have been enthusiastically received by children, who thoroughly enjoy the creative learning experiences she provides. At the BPPL, various commu- nitygroups gather regularly toen- gage in activities and discussions. Among these groups are the Lions Club, which convenes on the fi rst of every month, and the Women’s Club, which typically meets on the thirdor fourthTues- day of eachmonth. TheWomen’s Club provides a platform for local women to come together, hear from guest speakers, and engage in discussions on topics relevant to women in the community. In addition, a new Dungeons and Dragons group has been es- tablished, with meetings sched- uled for Sundays at 9 a.m. in the library’s conference room. There is also a quilting group that meets once a month, usually on the fourth Wednesday, to share their passion for quilting and work on projects together. Another regu- lar gathering is the knitting and crochet group, which convenes periodically to work on projects and share skills. The group typi- cally meets on the third Tuesday of the month, providing an op- portunity for individuals to con- nect and collaborate. In a continued e ff ort to en- hance community engagement, adjustments have been made at the library, particularly in the genealogy section, following the completion of new o ffi ce spaces. The aim is to create a more user- friendly environment conducive to community involvement. The designated genealogy area, re- fl ecting the town’s 150-year his- tory, will focus on preserving the heritage of South Pittsburg and its surroundings. To achieve this, a new bookshelf is being intro- duced tobetter organizehistorical materials, such as oldSouthPitts- burg Hustler newspapers dating back to the early 1900s. To ensure the preservation of these valuable resources, archival boxes will be used. The collabora- tionwith the SouthPittsburgHis- torical Society’s museum further strengthens these e ff orts. This partnership enables the library to safeguard and access histori- cal documents e ffi ciently, includ- ing tax records and newspaper archives stored on micro fi che. Carolyn Milhiser, as referenced by Hogan is a knowledgeable re- source, assists with inquiries, and provides valuable insights into lo- cal history. Also in the genealogy section, reorganization plans include re- purposing a cabinet to create a more functional layout. By rear- ranging furniture and utilizing shelving space e ff ectively, the li- braryaims tooptimizeaccessibili- ty and facilitate research activities for visitors interested in exploring the richhistory of SouthPittsburg and its community. Ensuring accessibility and inclusivity remains a top prior- ity for the library, which o ff ers a range of resources tailored to various needs and abilities. Fol- lowing an event at the Tennessee State Library and Archives that focused on accessibility for indi- viduals with impairments, the li- brary acquired a recorder capable of reading aloud books, catering speci fi cally to visually impaired patrons. While the current selec- tion includes mainly children’s books, e ff orts are underway to expand options for adults with visual impairments. The library also provides braille materials, acknowledging the importance of serving patrons who require them. Additionally, the library has introduced playaways, por- table devices similar to iPods, providing easy access to audio content for all patrons. The Beene-Pearson Public Library is located at 208 ElmAve in South Pittsburg. They are open Monday throughWednesday and Fridays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. as well as on Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. The library is closed Thursdays and Sundays. Meet Cathy Black, Direc- tor of the Orena Humphrey Public Library Cathy Black brings a wealth of experience to her role at the library, drawing from her background in communica- tion and community engage- ment. With a career that be- gan as a 4-H agent, she gained valuable experience working with students from fourth grade through high school, organizing programs both in schools and during the sum- mer. Transitioning to her role as communications director at Sequatchie Valley Electric Co-Op, Black managed various communication channels, in- cluding the Tennessee Maga- zine sections and newsletters. Additionally, she spearheaded programs in high schools, such as the Washington Youth Tour writing contest, which involved taking students to Washington, D.C., annually. Despite the challenges faced with the current build- ing, Black remains dedicated to serving the community through initiatives like Story Hour, held twice a month, and regular visits to Head Start programs, where she engag- es children with storytelling and crafts. Notably, Black has brought characters like the Cat in the Hat to life during these sessions, fostering a love for reading among young audi- ences. Collaborating with the health department, she orga- nized special events like Tooth Fairy Day at the Head Start, distributing toothbrushes and educating children about den- tal hygiene. Black also facili- tated interactive sessions on proper tooth care, reinforcing important lessons through sto- rytelling. Her commitment to promoting literacy and com- munity well-being is evident in her multifaceted approach to library programming. The main community pro- gram hosted at the Whitwell library is VITA, which oper- ates during tax season, pro- viding free tax preparation services for senior citizens and low-income families. Al- though not directly involved in the program, its presence at the library attracts visitors, contributing to community en- gagement. With anticipation for a new building, discussions are underway regarding potential relocation options for the li- brary. While plans for a new facility are in progress, interim measures are in process until the construction of the Whit- well Education and Heritage Center is completed, a project expected to take several years and will encompass several fa- cilities of the community. In addition to planning for a new facility, there is a desire to expand the range of group meetings and classes o ff ered to enhance community involve- ment. Ideas include hosting quilting or knitting classes to attract more adult par- ticipants. Collaboration with the Senior Citizen Center has been initiated to explore the feasibility with e ff orts focused on coordinating schedules and promoting participation among interested individu- als. As these plans evolve, the library remains committed to serving as a vital community resource and fostering oppor- tunities for learning and social engagement. The genealogy section at the library serves as a signi fi cant attraction, drawing visitors not only from Marion County but also from neighboring regions, extending to other counties and even out-of-state visitors. With an extensive collection, the library houses notebooks compiled by local genealogists, fi ling cabinets containing fam- ily fi les, and books from vari- ous states. Census records and micro fi lm archives, including Civil War records, further en- rich the resources available to researchers. Despite not pos- sessing all historical papers, the library boasts a comprehensive archive, featuring publications such as the journal and other older newspapers. The Orena Humphrey Pub- lic Library is located at 1130 Main St in Whitwell. They are open Monday through Wednesday and Fridays from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. as well as on Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. The library is closed Thursdays and Sundays. Adventure, engagement, and revitalization: The Marion County local libraries are ready to serve their communities