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About the history of Sequoyah Regional Library System 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, and in 1923, the club 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 and 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, also providing 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. In 1932, Pickens County Library had its beginnings when a group of 4-H girls and Home Demonstration Clubs expressed a desire for something to read. Henrietta White Darnell, a Home Demonstration agent, borrowed fifty books at a time from the Georgia State Library Commission and checked them out to her club members. While the present Pickens County courthouse was under construction, the library was housed in the Pickens County High School (now Jasper Middle) until 1949, when the library was given a room in the basement of the newly constructed courthouse. Charter members of the Pickens County Library Board of Trustees were Ruth Adams, Marjorie Floyd Butchart, and Henrietta Darnell. In 1958, the Pickens County Library became affiliated with R.T. Jones Library, creating the Cherokee-Pickens Regional Library. Gilmer County Library was founded in the summer of 1940 as a room inside the Gilmer County Courthouse. Started as a federal W.P.A. project, the library also had local support from J & C Bedspread Company, the City of Ellijay, and the Ellijay Women’s Club. Charter members of the Gilmer County Library Board of Trustees were Mrs. E.T. Hudson, Chairman; Mrs. R.W. Smith, Co-Chairman; Mayor Willard Holden; L.N. Foster, School Superintendent; C.F. Owen, Editor; and 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, and during the summer of 1956 the library moved into a building 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). This location 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, with their report returning favorable if finances could be achieved. At that time, Gilmer County library was funded by a 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 formalized to join the regional system with the Cherokee and Pickens counties. Commissioner Harold Hefner and Superintendent Everett Weeks agreed to increase their offices’ contributions, making it possible for Gilmer County Library to join the regional library. On July 1, 1961 the Cherokee-Pickens-Gilmer Regional Library was renamed as the Sequoyah Regional Library System. In the late 1980s, the 8,000 square foot R.T. Jones Library at 400 East Main Street was no longer sufficient for the growing population. Chairman of the Board of Trustees W.W. Denney began the search for a site to house a larger facility, and on July 20, 1989 a transaction was completed that would provide three acres for a new 30,000 square foot building. Cherokee County purchased the building on Main Street, making the site on Highway 20 near I-575 available. Groundbreaking was held March 8, 1990, and on May 1, 1991 the building opened to the public. Dedication of the R.T. Jones Memorial Library, 116 Brown Industrial Parkway, was held June 12, 1991 with Chairman Denney giving a warm welcome and Senator Bill Hasty introducing the speaker, Lt. Governor Pierre Howard. In 1964, the Woodstock Public Library was established and as the community’s population grew, additional library space was needed to keep pace with growth. In Cherokee County, three new libraries were added as a response to the exponential growth that was taking place in the 1980s and 1990s: Rose Creek Public Library in 1991, Hickory Flat Public Library in 1993, and Ball Ground Public Library in 1997. In 1996, the Sequoyah Regional Library System signed a contract with the Cherokee County Law Library Board to administer the Law Library located in the Justice Center. More than 100 years after the beginning of R.T. Jones Library in Canton, Sequoyah Regional Library System strives to continue offering new resources, programs, and spaces to keep pace with the community’s need for more services. Pickens County Library, D.B Carrol Street location, 1980-1994 Gilmer County Library, Dalton Street Location, 1977-2007

Policies for the Sequoyah Regional Library System. About Your Library Policies Privacy and Disclosures View Policy Internet use View Policy Parent & Teachers View Policy Public Service View Policy Collection View Policy

Why should summer get all the fun? Reading is entertaining all year long! This winter, visit your library, curl up with a good book, and win special prizes along the way by participating with Beanstack. There is snow place like your local library in December and January to participate in awesome wintery programs at no cost for all ages (kids, teens, and adults), and much more! Winter Literacy 2024 Why should summer get all the fun? Reading is entertaining all year long! This winter, visit your library, curl up with a good book, and win special prizes along the way by participating with Beanstack. There is snow place like your local library in December and January to participate in awesome wintery programs at no cost for all ages (kids, teens, and adults), and much more! Check out our calendar to see all we have planned – you won’t want to miss a thing! HOW DOES IT WORK? Log your reading and complete fun activities to earn digital badges and tickets for end-of-challenge raffle prizes through winter with the free Beanstack app . Beanstack includes tools to help you and your family discover books, keep track of your reading, and set reading goals. Beanstack can be accessed by visiting our official SRLS webpage or downloading the app available for iOS and Android . Our Winter Literacy Challenge will begin December 1st and pre-registration opens on November 15th! JOIN THE WINTER LITERACY READING CHALLENGE Register on Beanstack to join the Winter Literacy Challenge. Read winter-themed titles and complete fun activities to earn Beanstack badges and tickets for end-of-winter prizes. JOIN THE WINTER LITERACY CHALLENGE GETTING STARTED WITH BEANSTACK CHECK OUT OUR WINTER PROGRAMS SEE OUR WINTER LITERACY PRIZE GUIDE CHECK OUT THE SRLS LINKTREE WINTER LITERACY PROGRAM GUIDE BECOME A WINTER LITERACY PARTNER MONETARY DONATIONS PHYSICAL DONATIONS We welcome and are incredibly grateful for Winter Literacy partners in all formats! To give monetary donations for Winter Literacy, please select either the Library Programming or Reading Challenges options using our monetary donation link. For physical donations such as gift cards or books, please fill out the form using the physical donations link. HOLIDAY OPEN HOUSES Join us for our annual Holiday Open Houses at each of our library locations to celebrate winter! Each location will have unique programs, a Santa meet and greet, and other fun activities for the whole family. Check out our calendar to find a Holiday Open House near you. Thank you to all of our Winter Literacy partners. This program would not have been possible without your help!

The Pickens County Library 100 Library Lane Jasper, GA 30143 Pickens County Library Address 100 Library Lane Jasper, GA 30143 Contact 706-692-5411 Manager: Katie Dobson Opening Hours Monday 9:00 AM – 8:00 PM Tuesday 9:00 AM – 8:00 PM VIEW BRANCH VIRTUAL TOUR COMMUNITY SPACES UPCOMING EVENTS Wednesday 9:00 AM – 8:00 PM Thursday 9:00 AM – 8:00 PM Friday 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM Saturday 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM Sunday 2:00 PM – 6:00 PM

Sequoyah Regional Library Resources for Teens: Libby, Beanstack, eRead Kids. Teens Resources For Teens Events for Teens Click Here To View Full Calendar Teen Volunteer Opportunities at the Library Are you a student who... is in 6th - 12th grade, or will be in the fall? lives in Cherokee, Pickens, or Gilmer county? wants to volunteer at the library? Whether you are interested in applying to be an appointed member of the Teen Advisory Board (TAB) or would like the flexibility of volunteering when you can, the Sequoyah Regional Library offers volunteer opportunities for all interested 6th - 12th grade students who live in Cherokee, Pickens, and Gilmer counties. The Teen Advisory Board (TAB) application opens every year in mid-April and closes mid-May. Appointed TAB members attend monthly meetings and events, plan and lead library programs, and complete volunteer hours. During this application period, all rising 6th - 12th grade students who reside in Cherokee, Pickens, and Gilmer counties are eligible and encouraged to apply. Teen Advisory Board Application The Auxiliary Teen Advisory Board (TAB) application is open year-round to all interested 6th - 12th grade students who reside in Cherokee, Pickens, and Gilmer counties. Auxiliary TAB is meant to provide a flexible opportunity for a student to volunteer when it fits their schedule and does not include mandatory meetings or a minimum volunteer hour requirement. Auxiliary TAB Application

Sequoyah Regional Library System has entered into an agreement with the Cherokee County School District to extend borrowing privileges to all students in Cherokee County Schools. Pickens County: High School From the Library 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. Click here to learn more Internet Access Access the internet inside the library or from the parking lot. Parking lot internet access is available 24 hours a day. Click here to learn more Public Computers and Printing Using your student ID, you have access to desktop computers and tablets. Printing is also available. Click here to learn more Seed Libraries Browse our seed libraries at Woodstock Public Library, Rose Creek Public Library, R.T. Jones Memory Library, Ball Ground Public Library, and Gilmer County Library. Our seed libraries are made possible by our partnership with the Cherokee Master Gardeners and Gilmer Master Gardeners. Click here to learn more From Home or School GALILEO Georgia Library Learning Online, more commonly known as GALILEO, lets you access a virtual library operated by the University System of Georgia, including numerous databases, abstracts, and full-text. GALILEO Overdr ive/Libby Overdrive/Libby lets you browse popular eAudiobooks, eBooks, and digital magazines available for users to download via the Libby app. Overdrive/Libby The Palace Project The Palace Project App lets you access popular eAudiobooks and eBooks via the Palace Project app - available on Android and Apple iOS. The Palace Project A to Z World Culture A to Z World Culture is the most comprehensive country-by-country culture resource. A to Z World Culture eRead Kids eRead Kids lets you browse a collection of ebooks and audiobooks for kids and teens. eRead Kids LearningExpress Library Learning Express is an interactive online learning platform featuring over 770 practice tests, tutorials, and eBooks related to job search and workplace skills improvement, career certification and licensing exam preparation, college entrance and graduate school admissions exam preparation. LearningExpress Library Mango Mango Languages lets you access language-learning resources to help you learn 70+ languages online and on-the-go. Mango

Youth Services Specialist - Pickens Join Our Team! Youth Services Specialist - Pickens About the Role This position organizes library programs for youth ages 0-12 and also works with branch staff to provide family and all ages programs to help support the learning needs of youth and their caregivers. This frontline position anticipates and meets the needs of users in the most visible way; interacting directly with the public to provide quality customer service, providing timely assistance and responding to a variety of requests. Individuals in this position can expect to spend 20% of their time assisting the public from a library service point, 20% of their time assisting with circulation/collection maintenance, and 60% of their time preparing and implementing library programs. Closing Date: 9/1/2025 Start Date & Location: October 1, 2025 / Pickens County Library, 100 Library Ln, Jasper, GA 30143 Salary & Benefits: $30,160.00 Annually, Paid Annual Leave, Sick Leave & Holidays. State Health Benefit Plan, Flexible Benefits and Teacher Retirement System. Schedule: Full-Time, 40 hours per week. The schedule includes a combination of daytime, evening, and weekend hours. This library is open 7 days a week. Work schedule will vary, and flexibility is required. Responsibilities: Design, implement and evaluate a variety of programs that enhance early literacy and STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematical skills), appeal to children with their developmental needs in mind, and are experiential. Demonstrate creativity, openness to new ideas, flexibility, and presentation skills to create engaging programs. 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. Pursue a variety of information sources, including popular media, to keep current on topics relevant to children. Assist at service points and provide staff support as needed. Guide and assist the public in the use of technology and library tools. Create booklists, read-alikes, and other readers advisory tools to appeal to children. Maintain and report statistics related to programs as required. Provide a monthly schedule of programs for inclusion in system wide promotional materials in a timely manner. Promote current library services and programs. Work with supervisor to inform branch staff of changes in programs. Provide supervision for part-time staff as needed. Understand and adhere to the mission, values, and vision of the library organization and maintain current knowledge, trends and development through continuing education. 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 interact tactfully with staff and the public; to communicate effectively with supervisor and staff. 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

Sequoyah Regional Library System services available to library patrons with disabilities Accessibility Sequoyah Regional Library System services available to library patrons with disabilities include. Accessible technology. A selection of materials in large print, braille and audiobook formats. eBooks and eAudiobooks with a range of accessibility options available through Libby High-Contrast Keyboards at every location. Assistive Tool Kits for Readers are available for checkout. Shelf Direct Service : The Sequoyah Regional Library System can mail materials directly to your home if you are unable to visit the library. The Shelf-Direct Service offers you the convenience of receiving and returning materials in a postage-paid mail pouch. The Georgia Library Service for the Blind and Print Disabled (GLS) supports accessible library services in Georgia by promoting and providing accessible reading materials to those who, due to a disability, are unable to read standard print. This is a free program available to eligible residents of Georgia. Georgia Library Service for the Blind and Print Disabled This service is open to Cherokee, Pickens or Gilmer County patrons of SRLS who: Have a permanent or temporary disability or medical condition that prevents a person from visiting the library. Reside in a nursing care or assisted living facility, whether on a temporary or permanent basis. Have other health conditions that make a person unable to visit the library. Who is Eligible? Anyone who is unable to read or handle standard printed materials as a result of temporary or permanent visual or physical disability. Persons who are legally blind or cannot see well enough or focus long enough to read standard print, even with glasses. Persons who are unable to hold or turn pages of print books. Persons who are certified by a medical doctor as having a reading disability. Learn More Call GLS at (800) 248-6701 Ask about GLS at any library service desk. Visit the website for the Georgia Libraries for the Blind and Print Disabled. Additional Resources GARRS: Georgia Radio Reading Service NFB Newsline Georgia Relay (Dial 711) Center for Inclusive Design and Innovation

Support your Library with Materials donations, financial gifts, volunteers, and partnering Support Your Library Community support allows us to thrive. Here are ways you can help. Material Donations SRLS accepts material donations, up to 10 items, based on the following guidelines: Books (hardcover, paperback, trade, board, large print) published 2020 or later audiobooks published 2020 or later DVDs and Blu-rays (no date limit) Games/Puzzles High demand/popular/best-selling series and authors (any publication date) Examples: Diary of a Wimpy Kid Dork Diaries Agatha Raisin mysteries Debbie Macomber We do not accept the following: Magazines VHS tapes Audio Cassettes Encyclopedias Textbooks Any item in poor condition or that has writing, personal inscriptions, strong odors, or stains. Patrons wishing to donate more than 10 items and up to 5 boxes or items that do not meet donation guidelines have the following options: The Better World Books drop box in the R.T. Jones parking lot. The Woodstock Public Library, Hickory Flat Public Library, Pickens County Library, and Gilmer County Library will accept large donations on Tuesdays or Thursdays, 11am-5pm. Financial Gifts Financial gifts support our collection, programs and other library services. By making a gift, your money will be used for the greatest need of SRLS, unless otherwise directed. Financial gifts can be made online, via mail or in-person. To gift via mail or in person, please complete the Financial Donation Form (upload form) and mail or drop it off donation to one of our locations. Volunteer We appreciate members of the community that want to support the library through volunteering. Here are the ways those interested can get involved: Friends of the Library Those interested in volunteering are encouraged to join their local Friends of the Library group, which has regular opportunities to get involved through assisting with book sales, advocating for the library, library programs, and more. Click here to learn more about what the Friends of the Library do and how to get involved. Sequoyah Squad Volunteers Sequoyah Squad volunteers must be over the age of 18. Volunteer opportunities can be limited based on availability at our libraries. Sequoyah Squad volunteers are able to assist with shelving books, light cleaning, library programs, and more. Community members can express interest in becoming a Sequoyah Squad volunteer by submitting a Contact Us form. Teen Advisory Board & Auxiliary Teen Advisory Board 6th - 12th grade students who want to volunteer at the library can apply to our Teen Advisory Board or Auxiliary Teen Advisory Board. Click here to visit our Teen page and learn more. Kroger Community Rewards Any transactions using the Shopper’s Card number associated with your digital account will be applied to the program, at no added cost to you. Kroger donates annually to participating organizations based on your percentage of spending as it relates to the total spending associated with all participating Kroger Community Rewards organizations. The program is simple. If you shop at Kroger, you probably have a Kroger Plus card. When you register your Kroger Plus Card online, you can then select Sequoyah Regional Library as the organization of your choice. The SRLS Community rewards Account number is MW313. Partners Partnerships are a pathway for the Sequoyah Regional Library System to further support our Mission, Vision, and Values through a mutually beneficial relationship with longevity in mind. SRLS Partnerships can look like creating avenues for collaborating on public services, programming, cross-promoting, sharing resources, etc. The terms are generated by involved parties to ensure that they are mutually beneficial with shared responsibilities, purposeful, and sustainable for years to come. Interested in becoming a library partner? Reach out to us via our Contact Us page. Financial Donation Form Kroger Rewards Information Questions? Anchor FOL Friends Of The Library Each of our counties has a Friends group in operation. These groups are made up of volunteers who organize themselves independently to support our libraries. What does a Friends group do? Advocate for the libraries and library services, spreading the word about libraries and lifelong learning. Raise and contribute funds for supplemental books, materials, equipment and library programs. Volunteer to help with special library events, collaborative community efforts and reading programs for children and adults. Promote the use of the library, reading and literacy programs by all members of the community Join Friends of the Library today and help support your library! Click the links below to learn more about each of our Friends group and become a member. Friends of the Cherokee County Public Libraries Friends of Pickens Library Friends of the Gilmer County Library Friends is a 501(c)(3) organization, your contribution is tax deductible to the full extent allowed by law.

City of Jasper Mayor Kirk D. Raffield visited the Pickens County Library on August 24 as part of the Mayor’s Reading Club initiative. SRLS News Mayor’s Reading Club Comes To Pickens County Library September 5, 2024 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 .

Now Available for checkout. 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! Latest SRLS News Now Available: Disc Golf Sets! January 13, 2025 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!

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