A month-long effort to recognize libraries in Loudon County kicked off April 14 in a small, passionate community.
Philadelphia Public Library held an open house in the single-story brick building at 714 Thompson St.
With National Library Week the final week of April, the Loudon County Library Board and directors of the five county libraries decided to hold events during the month to expand community awareness and spotlight how vital library services are for patrons.
“Philadelphia is not a magazine and coffee clutch corner,” Mark Williams, library director, said during the open house. “This is a place where our patrons come to have vital medical documents faxed to the state or their physician. This is a place where people come to find out about local history and what’s going on. This is where they come to use the public access computers to fill out job applications, to fill out Medicaid applications …
“Everyone who walks through this door has a need that we fulfill,” he added. “We don’t want to have people think that this is just a dusty little corner.”
Williams emphasized recent moves nationwide to strip funding and even close libraries due to ligation surrounding banned books. He said libraries are an essential means of information and requested those attending the open house voice support.
The upcoming summer reading program will be in partnership with Philadelphia Elementary School. When students come to the library, they are able to participate in activities, story time and get a library card, which gives them more responsibility.
Williams said 90% of students at PES are either bused or driven in and do not have a chance to learn about the city or come to the library. The reading program allows them to experience something different.
Loudon County Mayor Rollen “Buddy” Bradshaw said his first identification was a library card. He said he reads nightly.
“The reading is incredible for kids to be able have this access and Mark, not just because I’m standing here in front of him, does a stellar, outstanding job with this library’s community,” Bradshaw said.
Liz Hall, library board member, said she comes to the Philadelphia library often despite living in Tellico Village. She said the open house received a wonderful response from the community and she was excited about the number of people attending.
“If (kids) get encouraged that there’s something that they’re seeing that they really like, they’re going to come back and they’re going to tell their friends,” Hall said. “The more they tell their friends, the busier we are ... It’s a public service. It’s information driven and it absolutely is mandatory for moving forward in this age that’s digital because we can do that, too. It’s not just books.”
The Philadelphia facility faces challenges because of limited hours and staff salaries.
“I was driving down 321 and the sign at Chick-fil-A said starting salary $16 an hour,” Hall said.
“And that’s what our librarians in this county, that’s their top salary and that’s a recent raise, and that is shameful,” Pauline Barbour, library board member, added. “I’m the trustee for this particular facility, and I just think it’s wrong.”
Deb and Kim Handy live nearby and were using the library to download pictures because of limited internet speeds at home. Deb said Philadelphia is a small community but they are blessed to have the library and post office even if both are only open 30 hours a week.
“We’re talking about a very small rural area,” Earl Barbour said. “People don’t have access to these in their homes. They need somewhere to go and the library is definitely offering that for them. Do you need a hundred people to come in to justify having it or is it just one? I’m of the impression and belief that one affects all and just having one person come in to use it is going to turn around and affect the rest of us.”
The celebration continued April 18 at Lenoir City Public Library’s open house. The library provided giveaways and informed visitors of the organization’s 100-year history.
The Public Library at Tellico Village held a presentation April 19 about the history of Tellico Village and area with local historian Bo Carey at the library’s location on Irene Lane.
Loudon Public Library will be hosting a joint book and DVD sale with the other county libraries 9-5 p.m. April 24-28 at the location on River Road in Loudon.
Greenback Public Library, 6889 Morganton Road, will have giveaways all month, including a Kindle drawing.