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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. Gilmer County Library, Dalton Street Location, 1977-2007

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

Strategic Plan 2022-2026 Goal 1: Increase our outreach efforts to link the library and the community it serves, by forming strong connections with organizations and increasing visibility at local activities. Strategies: Establish the position of an Outreach Manager. Identify opportunities for exposure of library resources and services through outreach activities. Increase off-site programming. Maximize and increase outreach tools. Goal 2: Reach community members who do not use the library and increase library card holders in our service population. Strategies: Increase external marketing efforts, identifying new ways to reach non-card holders. Identify services which appeal to non-card holders. Increase library card holders to 40% of our service population. Goal 3: Establish the library as a community gathering place for all community members. Strategies: Invite entities to join us in our spaces through programming and partnership. Streamline the process for outside entities to utilize library space. Create library spaces that invite and encourage collaboration and gathering. Goal 4: Leverage library stories. Strategies: Refine patron library story feedback process to provide more useful information that can be used in marketing. Highlight user stories to stakeholders and the community in creative and impactful ways. Work with public-facing staff to evaluate strategies to gather impactful patron stories. Goal 5: Align the Library’s efforts with the ongoing growth and progress of our community. Strategies: Develop tools to gather feedback from the community. Work with professionals to identify growth and potential. Establish a personnel plan that supports the dynamic community growth. Establish a long term plan, forecasting at least 10 years. Goal 6: Foster active and open communications with local leaders. Strategies: Improve relationships with local funding agencies. Maintain an awareness of city and county efforts and programs through establishing regular communication. Actively look to identify ways in which the Library could play a role in promoting or facilitating city and county efforts and programs. Invite local officials to library events and programming.

Join Our Team! Service Associate – Rose Creek Public Library About the Role This position is central to customer service, providing timely assistance to the public, shelving of materials, and responding to a variety of requests. This frontline position anticipates and meets the needs of users in the most visible way. This position also aids in maintaining the materials collection. Fully supported by all of the other sectors and departments, they work to provide quality customer service to the library community. This position reports to the branch manager. Closing Date: 06/10/2024 Start Date & Location: July 1, 2024 / Rose Creek Library, 4476 Towne Lake Parkway, Woodstock, GA 30189 Salary & Benefits: $22,380.80 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: Deliver quality customer service, greeting the public in a welcoming, professional manner. Assist at the service desk and provide staff support as needed. Assist the public in the use of technology and library tools. Demonstrate general knowledge of the library automation system in use and specific knowledge of the operations that apply to circulation procedures. Understand and perform circulation operations for all library materials (including but not limited to check-in, check-out, renew, place holds, process holds, financial transactions, recordkeeping, etc.) Access the OPAC (online catalog) and library automation system, using a variety of tactics to locate items in the collection (via subject heading, author, title, keyword searches, etc.) Understand and perform collection maintenance procedures (including but not limited to shelving, shifting, shelf reading, display maintenance, etc.). Assist the public in locating, selecting, and using resources. Proactively interact with the public to ascertain what they need and ensure they find it. Ensure proper order of books, and neat orderly appearance of public areas. Maintain the condition of books and other items through repair and light maintenance. Maintain periodicals collection. Enter data in the library automation system or other software, maintaining confidential records and circulation databases. Handle financial transactions, count money and make change accurately. Provide supervision and guidance for part-time staff as needed and serve in an ‘in-charge’ role as needed. 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: Basic computer skills, including the ability to type, operate a computer and navigate the internet. Ability to perform basic math; understand and follow written and oral instructions. Ability to work with others in a variety of circumstances. 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 Service Associate – Rose Creek Public Library View Job

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 at no cost. Read More > Hickory Flat Public Library Construction Project GET INVOLVED Friends of the Library Teen Advisory Board Events Beanstack

< Back R. T. JONES MEMORIAL LIBRARY CELEBRATES 100TH BIRTHDAY Aug 14, 2023 The Sequoyah Regional Library System welcomes all members of the public to attend the 100th Birthday Celebration of the R. T. Jones Memorial Library on Saturday, September 9, 2023 at 7:00pm. The celebration will include food, live music, and commemorative remarks from community leaders. “As we have prepared for the celebration, it has been amazing to look back and learn about the evolving role of our library in Canton over the past 100 years,” says Angela Cortellino, Executive Director of SRLS. “The R.T Jones Memorial library has been an integral part of the community and an important necessity. It is exciting to celebrate the past 100 years and begin the next 100 years of service.” Leading up to the 100th Birthday Gala on Saturday, September 9, R. T. Jones Memorial Library will begin celebrating the occasion on Thursday, September 7, by welcoming community members to visit the library and make birthday cards through September 9. On Friday, September 8, join History Cherokee at R. T. Jones Memorial Library for an educational look into the history of Cherokee County. Finally, on Saturday, September 9, R. T. Jones Memorial Library invites young patrons to a Birthday Bash at 10:30am, with games, food, and music before the final celebration that evening at 7:00pm. “I’ve enjoyed learning more about how the library began in Cherokee County and watching the changes unfold through the years through pictures,” says Lisa Fowler, Branch Manager of R. T. Jones Memorial Library. “From its humble beginnings supported by private book donations to becoming an important part of the community, the R.T. Jones Memorial Library has grown with the county.” Previous Next

< Back HICKORY FLAT PUBLIC LIBRARY UPDATE Feb 1, 2024 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 late summer/early fall of 2024. Weather concerns and material delays with steel have prevented progress on the metal roof of the building. These delays have added a few more months to wait for completion. “We have had a few delays,” shares Angela Cortellino, Executive Director of SRLS. “We are looking at just a few extra months before we will be able to open this fantastic facility. I know once we open our doors, everyone will be excited and ready to celebrate with us.” Once construction is complete, there will be several weeks installing shelving, furniture, and technology, as well as moving in the collection. Designed by CAS Architecture, the Hickory Flat Library Renovation and Expansion construction is being completed by Hollandsworth Construction. The finished renovation will include an addition of 7,800 square feet to the building. With an expanded and renovated library facility, the SRLS 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. The Hickory Flat Public Library building will be closed to the public for the entirety of the construction. During the construction, community members can still access SRLS programs and services by visiting any of the neighboring libraries in Cherokee, Pickens, and Gilmer counties. Previous Next

< Back UGA ATHLETICS COMING TO R. T. JONES MEMORIAL LIBRARY Jul 5, 2023 A traveling exhibit of University of Georgia athletics materials and memorabilia will be on display at the R. T. Jones Memorial Library on July 14, from 11:00am until 3:00pm. The exhibit is sponsored by The University of Georgia’s Hargrett Rare Book & Manuscript Library and will feature memorabilia from the UGA Athletic Association Archive. Jason Hasty, the UGA Athletics History Specialist for the Hargrett Library, will be touring public libraries around the state during the summer with the exhibit. “We have such a rich athletics history at UGA,” Hasty said. “This traveling exhibit is a great way to take some of the most interesting artifacts we have in the UGA Athletic Association archives out of storage to public libraries around the state for a fun, family friendly event.” These traveling exhibits are free and open to the public. The Hargrett Library, which is located in the Richard B. Russell Special Collections Libraries Building on the University of Georgia campus, is one of three special collections libraries that are part of the University of Georgia Libraries. For more information about these traveling exhibits, please contact Jason Hasty at hasty@uga.edu . Previous Next

Latest SRLS News May 15, 2024 GEORGIA DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES KIOSKS NOW AVAILABLE AT SELECT SRLS LOCATIONS Read More May 1, 2024 HICKORY FLAT PUBLIC LIBRARY ON SCHEDULE TO BE COMPLETED IN LATE SUMMER Read More Feb 1, 2024 HICKORY FLAT PUBLIC LIBRARY UPDATE Read More Nov 1, 2023 HICKORY FLAT PUBLIC LIBRARY UPDATE Read More Aug 30, 2023 THE HICKORY FLAT PUBLIC LIBRARY CONSTRUCTION IS ON SCHEDULE Read More Aug 14, 2023 R. T. JONES MEMORIAL LIBRARY CELEBRATES 100TH BIRTHDAY Read More Jul 5, 2023 UGA ATHLETICS COMING TO R. T. JONES MEMORIAL LIBRARY Read More Jul 5, 2023 SEQUOYAH REGIONAL LIBRARY SYSTEM RECEIVES GREAT STORIES GRANT Read More

< Back THE HICKORY FLAT PUBLIC LIBRARY CONSTRUCTION IS ON SCHEDULE Aug 30, 2023 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 early 2024.“The next steps include framing, exterior walls, and windows,” says Angela Cortellino, Executive Director of SRLS. “With the work that has been completed in the past few weeks, the building is really starting to take shape.”A majority of the site work has been completed, including utility lines and new building pads that will extend the square footage of the building for expanded youth, programming, and teen spaces. The finished renovation will include an addition of 7,800 square feet to the building. With an expanded and renovated library facility, the SRLS 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. The Hickory Flat Public Library building will be closed to the public for the entirety of the construction. During the construction, community members can still access SRLS programs and services by visiting any of the neighboring libraries in Cherokee, Pickens, and Gilmer counties. Designed by CAS Architecture, the Hickory Flat Library Renovation and Expansion construction is being completed by Hollandsworth Construction. Previous Next

< Back GEORGIA DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES KIOSKS NOW AVAILABLE AT SELECT SRLS LOCATIONS Georgia Department of Human Services (DHS) kiosks are now available for community use at R.T. Jones Memorial Library, Pickens County Library, and Gilmer County Library. DHS kiosks provide a convenient way for community members to access the Georgia Gateway portal to renew, change, and review their benefits including Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Childcare and Parent Services (CAPS), Medicaid and PeachCare for Kids, Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), and Women, Infants, and Children (WIC). Support for this program is provided through Food and Nutrition Service grant funds administered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture through the Georgia Department of Human Services. Previous Next