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About Your Library History of SRLS In September of 1922, the Canton Woman’s Club put forth the initial plans for a public library in Canton. In 1923, this dedicated group gave a collection of books which established Canton’s first public library. The collection was housed in rent-free space behind Higgins Jewelry Store on Main Street; it was presided over by the late Miss Malinda Roberts who volunteered to keep it open two days a week. In 1957, the R. T. Jones Foundation bought the old McAfee home on Main Street to house the library. The Foundation also provided the $25,000 needed to remodel the home for library use. At this time, the library became qualified for State aid which enabled the library to expand its collection. The State also loaned the library a bookmobile in 1957 until the library purchased its own in 1958. The Pickens County Library had its birth in 1932. It was then that a group of 4-H girls and Home Demonstration Clubs expressed a desire for something to read. Their little spark of interest was fanned into a flame by a Home Demonstration Agent, Henrietta White Darnell, who thought that it was better to “light a candle than to curse the darkness.” In the beginning she borrowed fifty books at a time from the Georgia State Library Commission and checked them out to her club members. As the books were read, they were returned and fifty more were obtained. While the present courthouse was under construction, the County Library was housed in the Pickens County High School (now Jasper Elementary). This situation existed until the new courthouse was finished in 1949. At that time, the library was given a small room in the basement of the newly constructed courthouse. At this time a Board of Trustees was formed to set operational procedures, policies, and so forth. The library was fortunate to have had a dedicated group to give of their time and ability in getting the library off to a sound start. Those persons serving as charter members of the Pickens County Library Board were: Ruth Adams, Marjorie Floyd Butchart, and Henrietta Darnell. As community interest grew, it was only natural that more people would become involved in the growth of the library. The city of Jasper started contributing to the salary of the librarian while Sherman Gartrell was mayor, and the city still continues this practice. In 1958, the Pickens County Library became affiliated with the Sequoyah Regional Library. The Gilmer County Library was founded on June 26, 1940, and opened to the public on July 1, 1940. The library began in a small room inside the Gilmer County Courthouse. Started as a federal W.P.A. project, the library also had some local support which included J & C Bedspread Company, the City of Ellijay, and the Ellijay Women’s Club. There were 200 books on the opening date. This number grew to 342 during the first year, and by the end of 1941 totaled 913 books. The first library board consisted of Mrs. E. T. Hudson, Chairman; Mrs. R. W. Smith, Co-Chairman; Mayor Willard Holden; L. N. Foster, School Superintendent; C. F. Owen, Editor; Mrs. Joe McCutchen, J & C Bedspread Company representative. The Gilmer County Board of Education and the Library Board of Trustees began to share responsibility and expenses in an effort to strengthen library services in the county. In 1948, the Library Board adopted a constitution and by-laws, establishing a consistency for the board. During the summer of 1956 the library moved into the building, which was located behind the old Ellijay Elementary School gymnasium and which also housed the old cannery (across from the present location of the First United Methodist Church). The new location gave more space and better lighting, and at the same time gave the public better access to the facility. It continued to serve as both a public and elementary school library until the current library building was constructed in 1977 and the two collections were separated. In 1957 a committee was appointed to contact Pickens and Cherokee counties with the idea of joining their regional library. The committee’s report was favorable if finances could be worked out. At that time, the library was funded by the combination of State and County matching funds based on the number of students, money from the State Library Commission, and miscellaneous local donations. In 1959, plans were worked out to join the regional system with Cherokee and Pickens counties. Commissioner Harold Hefner and Superintendent Everett Weeks agreed to increase their offices’ contributions, which made it possible for the library to join the regional library. In 1961, the Cherokee-Pickens-Gilmer Regional Library adopted the name “Sequoyah Regional Library.” On March 25, 1957, a contract was signed with Pickens County to form the Cherokee-Pickens Regional Library (1958). This union upgraded our local library, because it put us under the guidance of a regional director and made many services available to the county, including a bookmobile. Gilmer County became part of the system in 1959 forming the Cherokee-Pickens-Gilmer Regional Library. The system’s name became Sequoyah Regional Library on July 1, 1961. R. T. Jones Library at 400 East Main Street was feeling the effects of the increase in population. The 8,000 square foot building was no longer sufficient. Mr. Denney began the search for a site to locate a new facility and on July 20, 1989 a transaction was completed that would provide three acres for a new 30,000 square foot building. The county purchased the building on Main Street and this made the site on Highway 20 near I575 available. Groundbreaking was held March 8, 1990 and construction began. After packing books, furniture, memories, and many trips between the two buildings, books were on shelves once again, offices in order, and circulation desk was ready for patrons. On May 1, 1991 the building was ready for the public and the public was ready for their new library! Dedication of the R. T. Jones Memorial Library, 116 Brown Industrial Parkway, was held June 12, 1991 at eleven o’clock. Chairman W. W. Denney gave a warm welcome to all of the special and honored guests. Senator Bill Hasty introduced the Speaker, Lt. Governor Pierre Howard. In 2000, the Sequoyah Regional Library System greeted the new millennium with a vision for continual growth and prosperity. The explosion in the quantity of digital resources that have become available on the World Wide Web has impacted libraries in unprecedented ways. The library has strived to provide new resources and programs to keep up with the community’s demand for more services.

Board of Trustees The Sequoyah Regional Library System is governed by the Regional Library Board of Trustees, composed of nine members from the local county boards. Appointments to the Regional Board includes five members from the Cherokee Board, two members from the Pickens Board and two members from the Gilmer Board. The Regional Board is responsible for overseeing the establishment, management, and maintenance of public libraries in the counties of Cherokee, Pickens and Gilmer. Contact the Board Sequoyah Regional Library System 116 Brown Industrial Pkwy Canton, GA 30114 770-479-3090 Contact Form Sequoyah Regional Library System Board This board meets in January, April, August, and October on the 4th Tuesday of the month. Tuesday, August 27, 2024, 4:00pm at R.T. Jones Memorial Library Board Members Tom Hill -Chair , Cherokee County Mitchell Morgan -Vice Chair , Gilmer County Brad White-Secretary , Pickens County Randy Gravley , Cherokee County Eric Rein, Cherokee County Rebecca Johnston , Cherokee County Hugh Beavers , Cherokee County Melissa Lowrie , Pickens County Jerry Johnson , Gilmer County Cherokee County Library Board This board meets in January, April, August, and October on the 2nd Thursday of the month. Thursday, August 8, 2024, 4:00pm at R.T. Jones Memorial Library Board Members Tom Hill-Chair , Cherokee County Eric Rein-Vice Chair , Cherokee County Carmen Slaughter-Secretary , City of Canton Janet Wesley , City of Holly Springs Luis Flores , City of Woodstock Randy Gravley , Cherokee County Rebecca Johnston , Cherokee County Pam Carnes , Cherokee County Hugh Beavers , Cherokee County Joy Huddlestun , City ofWaleska Elisa Marathis , City of Nelson Vivian Murphy , City of Ball Ground Pickens County Library Board This board meets in January, April, August, and October on the 2nd Tuesday of the month. Tuesday, August 13, 2024, 4:30pm at Pickens County Public Library Board Members Melanie Pullen-Chair , Pickens County Rhonda Stancil-Vice Chair , Pickens County Caitlan Raffield-Secretary , City of Jasper Melissa Lowrie , Pickens County Jim Kirk , Pickens County Christi Hobgood , City of Jasper Kristie Moss , Pickens County Brad White , Pickens County Janelle Childree , City of Talking Rock Gilmer County Library Board This board meets in January, April, August, and October on the 3rd Thursday of the month. Thursday, August 15, 2024, 4:00pm at Gilmer County Public Library Board Members Jerry Johnson-Chair , Gilmer County Mitchell Morgan-Vice Chair , City of Ellijay Reece Sanford-Secretary , City of Ellijay Veronica Kincaid , City of East Ellijay Linda Wright , City of East Ellijay Jennifer Painter , Board of Education Wendy Wells , Board of Education Anita Summers , Gilmer County Jody Henry , Gilmer County BOARD MEETING SCHEDULE MEETING MINUTES

About Your Library Administration Team Angela Cortellino Executive Director angela@seqlib.org Paula Hagen Administrative Assistant phagen@seqlib.org Kara Rumble Deputy Director rumblek@seqlib.org Julie Wise Finance Manager wisej@seqlib.org Donna Ferguson Information Technology Director fergusod@seqlib.org Joan Osborne Collection Services Director osbornej@seqlib.org Rebecca Camp Patron Experience Manager campr@seqlib.org John Rodgers Operations Manager rodgersj@seqlib.org Sarah Childers Marketing Manager childerss@seqlib.org Marley Trahan Programming Manager Trahanm@seqlib.org Lisa Mosley Outreach Manager mosleyl@seqlib.org Policies Policies Anchor Privacy and Disclosures View Policy Internet use View Policy Parent & Teachers View Policy Public Service View Policy Collection View Policy

About Your Library Fines & Fees Replacement Fees for Print Materials Full replacement cost will be charged for any periodicals or cataloged materials that are overdue for 30 days or damaged to an extent that they have to be replaced. The borrower may keep any damaged materials for which full replacement cost has been paid. If a lost item is found and returned to the Library within 180 days from the due date, in a similar condition as when borrowed, the replacement charge will be voided and the maximum late charge reinstated. The Library does not accept materials the patron has purchased in lieu of payment. Late fees, most items $0.20 per day, per item. Late fees, GA State Parks and Historic Sites Pass $1.00 per day. Late fees, Zoo Pass, Go Fish Pass, and Passport to Puppetry $3.00 per day. Non-resident use fee $35.00 per year. Books hardcover, Adult, replacement $30.00 each. Books hardcover, Easy and Juvenile, replacement $25.00 each. “Trade” Paperbacks (these are higher quality, often over-sized paper bound titles), replacement $15.00 each. Paperbacks (relatively inexpensive “beach read” sized books), replacement $5.00 each. Magazines, replacement $5.00 each. Board Books, replacement $5.00 each. Maps $2.00 each. Audio Books, replacement $8.00 per disc or cassette, up to $45.00. DVDs, replacement $10.00 per title. Video / Audio case, replacement $3.00 per item . Kit, replacement charges vary according to contents of kit. Chromebook $5.00 per day with a maximum of $20. Technology Devices, including Chromebooks, that are not returned or damaged beyond repair will be charged the full replacement cost of $500. If components are damaged and able to be repaired or replaced, staff will assess the possibility of a charge up to but not to exceed $500. $20 replacement fee for laptop bag. Fines and General Replacement Fees GA State Parks and Historic Sites Pass $100.00 ($50.00 Georgia State Park Pass, $50.00 Georgia Historic Sites Pass) GA State Parks Backpack Replacement Fee: $75 Full replacement; $35 Backpack; $15 Binoculars; $8 Birds pamphlet; Wildlife pamphlet;$8.00 Trees/Flowers pamphlet $8.00. GA Public Libraries Passport to Puppetry $32.00. Chattahoochee Nature center $45.00. Zoo Pass $30.00. William Breman Museum $50.00. Go Fish pass $20.00. Macon Museum $100.00. Michael C. Carlos Museum $50.00. History Cherokee Pass $40.00. Alliance Theatre Pass $75.00. Replacement Fees for lost or irreparably Damaged Passes ​ Photocopies, Black and white $0.15 per printed side. Photocopies, Color $0.75 per printed side. 3D Printing $0.15 per gram; minimum charge of $3.00 per print. Proctoring $20.00 per test, cash or card. Service Fees ​ For S ale at select locations SRLS Shirt: $15.00 SRLS Tote: $12.00 Earbuds: $2.00 Flash Drive: $6.00 Items For Sale

Click here to learn more EZ-STUDENT ACCESS Students can access physical and digital materials. Read More > E-LIBRARY Enjoy free digital and online library resources. Read More > LIBRARY OF THINGS Why Buy When you can Borrow? Read More > EXPERIENCE PASSES The Sequoyah Regional Library System is pleased to offer passes for Free. Read More > Hickory Flat Public Library Construction Project GET INVOLVED Friends of the Library Teen Advisory Board Events Beanstack

Interlibrary Loans Interlibrary loan service enables patrons of one library to borrow physical materials that are held by another library. Our libraries will do our best to request the books that you request through the Interlibrary Loan system but there are some restrictions. Here is a short list of the items that SRLS is unable to request: Titles published within the current year or not yet published. Titles on current local or national bestseller lists Rare and valuable books as well as reference genealogy titles that are non-circulating. Non-print materials such as CDs, DVDs, cassette tapes and videos, eBooks. There is a limit of three (3) requests per patron, per day. Loan Period: Materials are generally loaned for two (2) weeks. The loan period may vary depending on the material and the lending library. All loans should be picked up promptly. ​ ​ Renewals of Interlibrary Loans are granted by the lending library. Renewals are not automatic and must be requested from the Public Services Specialist at your library at least one (1) week before the materials are due. Borrowers may request one (1) renewal. ​ Fees: Patrons are responsible for all charges pertaining to their Interlibrary Loan. Overdue Interlibrary Loans are fined $0.50 per day. If a borrower authorizes the library to obtain material from a library that charges a lending fee, the patron is responsible for paying the fee. Borrowers are responsible for any charges for materials lost or damaged while checked out to the borrower. The lending library determines the cost for any lost or damaged material. Borrowers are responsible for all postage charges for loans. Request Limit: Renewals/Extensions: Fees: Any Interlibrary Loans currently on your account can be checked-out and returned by visiting your local library. Please do not place your Interlibrary Loans into the outdoor book-return boxes. ​ Check-Out & Returns Request a Interlibrary Loan

Join Our Team! Youth Services Specialist – Hickory Flat Public Library About the Role This position organizes library services for youth ages 0-12, including information assistance, collection services and programming (including story times, after-school programs and summer reading programs). This position also works with branch staff to provide services to families and all ages. The position interacts directly with the public to provide quality customer service. This position provides the best possible programs and services to help support the learning needs of youth, and their families, schools and caregivers. This customer focused position anticipates and meets the needs of users in the most visible way and provides circulation assistance. Closing Date: 05/6/2024 Start Date & Location: June 3, 2024 / Hickory Flat Public Library, 2740 East Cherokee Drive, Canton, GA 30115 Salary & Benefits: $28,392 Annually, Paid Annual Leave, Sick Leave & Holidays. State Health Benefit Plan, Flexible Benefits and Teacher Retirement System. Schedule: Full-Time, 40 hours per week. Schedule includes a combination of daytime, evening, and weekend hours. This library is open 6 days a week. Work schedule will vary, and flexibility is required. Responsibilities: Design, implement and evaluate a wide variety of programs and services appropriate to the identified interests and developmental needs of children. Provides programs and services that enhance early literacy, reading and STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematical skills), providing learning opportunities for children that are self-directed, experiential and content-rich. Demonstrate creativity, openness to new ideas, knowledge of a variety of tools and techniques, flexibility and a sense of humor to create interesting and engaging programs. Promote youth library services directly to children through school visits, library tours, etc., and through engaging caregivers, educators and other youth-serving community partners. Proactively interacts with the public to ascertain what they need and ensure that they find it, conducting reference interviews and information searches as needed. Demonstrates broad knowledge and appreciation of children’s literature, including authors and publishers. Pursue a variety of information sources, including popular media, to keep current on topics relevant to children. Assist at the service desk and provide staff support as needed. Maintain and report statistics related to youth services as required. Provide a monthly schedule of youth programs for inclusion in system wide promotional materials in a timely manner. Qualifications: Requires High School Diploma or equivalent. 1 year job related experience; preferably working with the public in a customer service or retail field. Bilingual ability is a plus in serving a diverse community. Skills & Abilities: Skills in program presentation and speaking in public. Skills reflecting a high level of comfort with technology. Ability to perform basic math; understand and follow written and oral instructions. Ability to work with others in a variety of circumstances; to deal tactfully with staff and the public; to communicate effectively with supervisor, staff and the public. Ability to understand and perform library procedures. Physical Requirements: Must be able to stand and/or sit for prolonged periods of time; lift boxes and crates of no more than 30 lbs.; move and manipulate inventory; frequent stooping, kneeling and crouching. Apply Here

Join Our Team! Service Associate - Cherokee County View Job Youth Services Specialist – Hickory Flat Public Library View Job Public Services Specialist – Woodstock Public Library View Job

Adults Resources For Adults

Teens Resources For Teens It’s your library! The Teen Advisory Board (TAB) is a way to make your voice heard by planning and implementing library events. Earn volunteer hours, help us select new materials for the library, and more. If you’re interested in becoming a member of the Teen Advisory Board, our application window for TAB 2024 – 2025 will open April 2024. Teen Advisory Board Application

Kids Resources For Kids 1000 Books Before Kindergarten Reading Challenge "One thousand books? You got this! Your child's reading journey begins here! Use the Beanstack app to participate in our 1000 Books Before Kindergarten challenge. Once you have registered for the challenge on Beanstack , contact your library to receive your Starter Kit. Once you reach 1000 Books, your child will be eligible for our 1000 Books Before Kindergarten graduation!