Search Results

Pictured (L to R): Katie Bowling, Business Development Officer, Coosa Valley Credit Union; Neil Blackman, Principal, Corblu Ecology Group, LLC, and 2025 Chamber Board Chair; Angela Cortellino, Executive Director, Sequoyah Regional Library System. The Cherokee County Chamber of Commerce Support Our Schools Committee, in partnership with Coosa Valley Credit Union, is recognizing retiring educators from the Cherokee County School District by donating funds to the Sequoyah Regional Library System. The funds will be used to purchase books for the library branches located in Cherokee County. The books will include a label recognizing all faculty, staff, and administrators who retired during the 2024-2025 school year. Each retiree will receive notification that a book is being donated in their honor.

The Georgia Foundation for Agriculture, Georgia Farm Bureau and Georgia Electric Membership Corporation (EMC) are jointly promoting agricultural literacy by donating copies of the children’s book “The Soil in Jackie’s Garden” to Sequoyah Regional Library System. The Georgia Foundation for Agriculture (GFA) and Georgia EMC have given each county Farm Bureau in Georgia enough books for every public library in the county. The Cherokee County Farm Bureau, Pickens County Farm Bureau, and Gilmer County Farm Bureau each delivered a copy of the book to Sequoyah Regional Library System. Denise Forward, Program Coordinator for Cherokee County Farm Bureau, presented the book to Kersting Shaw, R.T. Jones Memorial Library Assistant Branch Manager. Rachel Hoffbauer, Pickens County Farm Bureau Office Manager, and Kadie Shaw, Public Relations of Amicalola EMC, presented the book to Katie Dobson, Pickens County Library Branch Manager. Candra Frady, Gilmer County Farm Bureau Office Manager, presented the book to Alex Thomerson, Gilmer County Library Branch Manager. “The Soil in Jackie’s Garden,” written by Peggy Thomas and illustrated by Neely Daggett, follows Jackie and her garden friends as they discover the wonders of gardening, soil secrets and the magic of composting. They embrace the joys of planting a garden, nurturing and harvesting their own food, and recycling scraps to compost, ensuring that the “magical cycle of growth and sustainability continues anew.” The American Farm Bureau Foundation for Agriculture selected the book as its 2025 Book of the Year for its accurate and positive portrayal of agriculture. The GFA began donating accurate books about agriculture to each public library in Georgia in 2016. Georgia EMC joined the foundation as a sponsor of this endeavor in 2018.

Looking for a new hobby to explore in the new year? Check out one of our new Disc Golf Sets from our Library of Things! Available for check out at all SRLS locations, Disc Golf sets include: a putter disc, a midrange disc, a driver disc, and a bag for carrying them. Each disc golf set also includes a brochure with more information regarding how and where to play. The Library of Things is a collection of non-traditional library items that complement the Sequoyah Regional Library System’s mission to connect people with ideas and opportunities to explore, learn and create. The purpose of the Library of Things is to provide diverse opportunities for learning and engagement. Visit our Library of Things page to learn more about our Disc Golf sets and other items available for check out!

This Winter Literacy, our libraries have been filled with laughter, joy, and cheer as we welcomed the community to our Holiday Open Houses. This festive tradition has allowed us to celebrate the holiday season with new friends, long-time friends, and special guests from the North Pole. We are incredibly grateful to all those who helped us make this holiday season one of our best yet. Across our seven locations, we celebrated with over 1,300 community members. Our Holiday Open Houses included performances from Oak Grove Elementary School, Etowah High School, Hickory Flat Elementary School, Ellijay Elementary School, Mountain View Elementary School, harpist Cathy Dobson and her piano students, Flutist Melissa Little, pianist and Gilmer County Branch Manager Alex Thomerson, and the Woodstock Ukulele Players. Multiple local organizations added to the holiday cheer as well, including the Alliance of Therapy Dogs, Southeast Outdoor Solutions, and the CCWSA. Our Friends of the Library organizations across all three counties assisted in serving refreshments, helping with crafts, and greeting visitors. For more information on upcoming holiday and winter events, please visit our calendar: sequoyahregionallibrary.org/events Happy Holidays from Sequoyah Regional Library System!

Sequoyah Regional Library System is excited to announce Winter Literacy 2024: Snow Place Like the Library. Each year, the SRLS Winter Literacy initiative encourages continued reading and community engagement throughout the winter break. From December 1 through January31, community members can participate in an all-ages reading challenge for the chance to win prizes. SRLS will be hosting multiple holiday events and programs at each of its libraries for community members to attend at no cost, including the annual Holiday Open Houses. Holiday Open Houses feature a meet and greet with Santa, local performances and visits, and more. View our Holiday Open House schedule here: - Gilmer County Library | December 2, 5:00 PM - Pickens County Library | December 3, 5:30 PM - Woodstock Public Library | December 5, 5:30 PM - Ball Ground Public Library | December 5, 5:30 PM - Hickory Flat Public Library | December 9, 5:00 PM - Rose Creek Public Library | December 10, 6:00 PM - R.T. Jones Memorial Library | December 11, 5:30 PM To learn more about Winter Literacy and the holiday happenings at SRLS, please visit our Winter Literacy webpage: SequoyahRegionalLibrary.org/Winter-Literacy. Library cards are always available at no cost to community members in Cherokee, Pickens, and Gilmer counties. We look forward to seeing you at the library!

City of Jasper Mayor Kirk D. Raffield visited the Pickens County Library on August 24 as part of the Mayor’s Reading Club initiative. Mayor Raffield along with City of Jasper Fire Chief John Sherrer read storybooks aloud to community members in attendance.   “Reading is critical to a child’s development and as Mayor I’m dedicated to advocating for literacy,” says Mayor Rafield. “The recent event was full of laughter and smiles. Jasper Fire Chief Sherrer read to the kids and then we had time outside with fire trucks and police cars.”   The event took place in the Pickens County Library Flex Room, then continued outdoors where community members could interact with fire trucks and police cars.    “This event was a success thanks to our partnership with the Pickens County library,” continues Mayor Raffield. “I look forward to additional Mayor’s reading club programs being held at the library. Thanks to the amazing library staff for your help and dedication to our community.”   Launched in 2022, the goal of the Mayor’s Reading Club is to improve literacy skills and success with early reading in children and youth in Georgia cities. The program is a part of Georgia City Solutions, a Georgia Municipal Association nonprofit.    To learn more about offerings and upcoming events with Sequoyah Regional Library System, please visit our website: SequoyahRegionalLibrary.org .

This September, discover Sequoyah Regional Library System as we celebrate National Library Card Sign-Up month. We join libraries throughout Georgia, and the country, to encourage our community to discover the valuable resources available with a free public library card. From physical, digital, and audiobooks to puzzles, ukuleles, and sewing machines available for checkout, there’s so much you can discover with a SRLS library card. To celebrate National Library Card Sign-Up Month 2024, Sequoyah Regional Library System has teamed up with multiple local businesses across Cherokee, Pickens, and Gilmer counties to provide new Discovery Passports to community members who sign up for or renew their library card during the month of September. Discovery Passports will include information about SRLS library cards as well as discounts to local businesses through October 31. “At Sequoyah Regional Library System, a library card offers incredible value,” shared Executive Director, Angela Cortellino. “We are continually evaluating the services we offer to be sure we offer the best for our community. A library card means access to technology, entertainment, lifelong learning, and a lot of fun.” Participating organizations include Pie Bar in Woodstock, Nothing Bundt Cakes in Woodstock, Sweetys in Canton, Red Bean Harvest in Jasper, Pappas Pizza House in Jasper, and Hemlock Bazaar in Ellijay. Existing SRLS cardholders can show their library card to front desk staff at any SRLS location to receive a Discovery Passport as well, while supplies last. Discovery Passports are limited to one per cardholder. Each discount can only be used once. During September, the library will host Library Card Sign-up activities such as Sequoyah Story Survey Stations, which provide community members the opportunity to share their positive library experiences for the chance to win one month of reserved study room access. Sequoyah Stories can also be submitted online by visiting www.SequoyahRegionalLibrary.org/Contact To sign up for a library card or to learn more about the library’s resources and programs, please visit www.SequoyahRegionalLibrary.org/Card

The Pickens County Library has received a donation of four “Books of the Month” from the Pickens County Farm Bureau.    Donated books include “The Garden Next Door” by Collin Pine, “Lucy Meets a Logger” by Stephanie Fuller, and “Jayden’s Impossible Garden” and “Jayden’s Secret Ingredient” by Mélina Mangal.    Pictured is Rachel Hoffbauer, Office Manager of Pickens County Farm Bureau, presenting four of the Georgia Farm Bureau's "Books of the Month" to Katie Dobson, Pickens County Library Branch Manager, and Suzanne Helton, Pickens County Library Youth Services Specialist.

Originally Posted July 26, 2024 Sequoyah Regional Library System (SRLS) celebrated the official opening of the Hickory Flat Public Library on Thursday, July 25, with a Grand Opening and Ribbon Cutting Ceremony hosted by the Cherokee County Chamber of Commerce.   “This library is all about people and spaces,” says Angela Cortellino, Executive Director of SRLS. “We still have books, with better browsing. We still have technology. But what you will find in here are some unique spaces. These spaces are meant for people to gather. For people to meet. For people to connect, explore, discover.”   Speakers in attendance included Pam Carnes, Cherokee County Chamber of Commerce President and CEO, and Library Trustee, Eric Rein, Cherokee County Chamber of Commerce Chair, and Library Trustee, Tom Hill, Chair of the Cherokee County Library Board and Sequoyah Regional Library System Board, and Commissioner Richard Weatherby.   The Hickory Flat Renovation and Expansion Project officially began on Wednesday, January 25, 2023 with a celebratory groundbreaking featuring Sequoyah Regional Library System staff and board members turning the soil with Cherokee County officials and the Cherokee Chamber of Commerce.   The finished renovation of the Hickory Flat Public Library building, originally built in 1993, includes an addition of 7,800 square feet to the building. The building was designed by CAS Architecture and built by Hollandsworth Construction. With an expanded and renovated library facility, the Sequoyah Regional Library System community will have more space for books and technology; larger areas for programs, meetings, collaboration, and creation; and additional seating for study and quiet reading.   Hickory Flat Public Library Full Service Hours: Monday 10:00 AM – 8:00 PM Tuesday 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM Wednesday 10:00 AM – 8:00 PM Thursday 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM Friday 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM Saturday 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM   To view the library system’s full programming schedule and register for events, visit https://bit.ly/Calendar-SRLS . Please continue to visit our website, SequoyahRegionalLibrary.org , for updates and announcements about the project, as well as up-to-date service hours for the Hickory Flat Public Library.

The Hickory Flat Public Library Grand Opening and Ribbon Cutting will be held on July 25 at 3 PM.  Sequoyah Regional Library System invites all members of the community to join them at 2740 East Cherokee Drive as they open their doors for the first time to celebrate the official Grand Opening and Ribbon Cutting of the renovated Hickory Flat Public Library on July 25.   Following the 3 PM ribbon cutting ceremony there will be tours, refreshments, and an opportunity to sign up for library cards. An additional Summer Discovery Finale will be held at 4:30 PM with a fun puppet show with That Puppet Guy.    "We are looking forward and ready for the ribbon cutting, not just as a celebration for the opening but an opportunity to say thank you,” says Angela Cortellino, Executive Director of SRLS. “This renovation and expansion of our library was possible because of community support, and the support of our local and state leaders. The project was funded by SPLOST and a state grant. The ribbon cutting is a celebration of all the things that made the project possible."   The Hickory Flat Renovation and Expansion Project officially began on Wednesday, January 25, 2023 with a celebratory groundbreaking featuring Sequoyah Regional Library System staff and board members turning the soil with Cherokee County officials and the Cherokee Chamber of Commerce.    "This library is all about people,” says Cortellino. “We have a variety of spaces for groups of all sizes to gather and connect. Places for children to play and adults to discover. Places to learn and places to reflect. I think everyone will find something in this space to connect with."   The finished renovation of the Hickory Flat Public Library building, originally built in 1993, includes an addition of 7,800 square feet to the building. The building was designed by CAS Architecture and built by Hollandsworth Construction. With an expanded and renovated library facility, the Sequoyah Regional Library System community will have more space for books and technology; larger areas for programs, meetings, collaboration, and creation; and additional seating for study and quiet reading.    "We are incredibly excited to feature our Third Space, a place where anyone can come and get work done, relax, or have a quick meeting,” says Cortellino. “This space is meant to reflect a variety of needs, for everyone."   Hickory Flat Public Library Full Service Hours: Monday 10:00 AM – 8:00 PM Tuesday 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM Wednesday 10:00 AM – 8:00 PM Thursday 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM Friday 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM Saturday 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM   To view the library system’s full programming schedule and register for events, visit https://bit.ly/Calendar-SRLS . Please continue to visit our website, SequoyahRegionalLibrary.org , for updates and announcements about the project, as well as up-to-date service hours for the Hickory Flat Public Library.

The Cherokee County Chamber of Commerce Education Committee, in partnership with Enjoy Cherokee Magazine and WLJA 101.1 FM, has donated $1,000 to Sequoyah Regional Library System in recognition of retiring educators from the Cherokee County School District. The donation will be used to purchase materials for the library locations in Cherokee county.

Sequoyah Regional Library System has announced that construction of the Hickory Flat Public Library Renovation and Expansion project, which broke ground in January of 2023, is currently scheduled to be completed in the spring of 2024. We are excited to share some of the bright and welcoming colors the community will see in the space. Once construction is complete, there will be several weeks installing shelving, furniture, technology, and the collection. Designed by CAS Architecture, the Hickory Flat Library Renovation and Expansion construction is being completed by Hollandsworth Construction.