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The Sequoyah Regional Library System Administration 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 Billy Rathburn Information Technology Director rathburnb@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 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

2024 Latest SRLS News Holiday Open Houses Wrapped Latest SRLS News Holiday Open Houses Wrapped December 30, 2024 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!

SRLS News Hickory Flat Public Library Renovation Update SRLS News 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.

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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The Sequoyah Regional Library System's Outreach team represents the library at community events, hosts Pop-Up Libraries, and offers Shelf Direct Service to Cherokee, Pickens, and Gilmer counties to create awareness about the library, to educate the community about library services, and to bring in new users to SRLS with a focus on underserved communities. Outreach Services The Sequoyah Regional Library System's Outreach team represents the library at community events, hosts Pop-Up Libraries, and offers Shelf Direct Service to Cherokee, Pickens, and Gilmer counties to create awareness about the library, to educate the community about library services, and to bring in new users to SRLS with a focus on underserved communities. Get to know our Discovery Outreach Transport, DOT! Bringing SRLS services to you in style, DOT carries our Outreach Team to local community events for Pop-Up Libraries, Storytimes, and more. Sign up for a library card and check out a book on the go! To request an Outreach visit, visit our Contact Us Form and select “Outreach” from the topics dropdown. Request Outreach Request Shelf Direct Services Outreach FAQs Where does the library do outreach? SRLS outreach serves the community throughout Cherokee, Pickens, and Gilmer Counties. The library prioritizes events such as festivals, farmers markets, large scale school events, and events that are unique to SRLS communities. How can I request Outreach? Outreach can be requested by completing the online form . What is Shelf Direct Services? 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 What is a Pop-Up Library? Pop-Up Libraries are our way of bringing the library to you! Designed to be engaging and accessible for everyone, Pop-Up Libraries have library materials available for check out and includes activities such as arts and crafts, games, and programming for the community. We can be found in parks and community centers to schools and senior living facilities. If you see us out in the community, make sure to say hello, check out a book, and learn more about the library! Can I check out books with outreach? Books are available for check out at Pop-Up Library events which are posted on our event calendar . Can I get a library card at an outreach event? Yes. All outreach events provide an opportunity to get a library card and to register to vote. Please check here for eligibility requirements.

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

Offered Services from the Sequoyah Regional Library Services Library Card CLICK HERE Ask Us! Sessions CLICK HERE Community Spaces CLICK HERE Computers & Printers CLICK HERE Digitizing Equipment CLICK HERE Experience Passes CLICK HERE EZ Student Access CLICK HERE Interlibrary Loan CLICK HERE Library of Things CLICK HERE Outreach CLICK HERE Proctoring CLICK HERE Seed Libraries CLICK HERE 3D Printing CLICK HERE Tax Information CLICK HERE

Sequoyah Regional Library Cheokee Elementary EZ Student Access Cherokee County: Elementary 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 Sora - The Student Reading App Use Sora to access digital content from your school and the public library. Check out this guide on adding our contents to your Sora account. This link is only for Cherokee County Public School Students. Sora Click here to learn more 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 Explora Elementary Explora for Elementary is EBSCO’s interface designed for elementary students. Students can browse topics of interest or search for a topic of their choice. Search results can be limited to source type (e.g., magazines, news, biographies, etc.) or by Lexile range. Explora Elemetary

This position organizes library services for youth ages 12-18, including programming, school visits, facilitating the Teen Advisory Board, information assistance, and collection services at all library locations. This position also supports system programming implementation in collaboration with the Programming Manager as needed. Join Our Team! Assistant Programming Manager - HQ About the Role This position organizes library services for youth ages 12-18, including programming, school visits, facilitating the Teen Advisory Board, information assistance, and collection services at all library locations. This position also supports system programming implementation in collaboration with the Programming Manager as needed. This position provides the best possible programs and services to help support the learning needs of teens, and their families, schools and caregivers. This customer focused position anticipates and meets the needs of users in the most visible way. Individuals in this position can expect to spend 60% of their time preparing and implementing library programs, 20% of their time leading the SRLS Teen Advisory Board, 10% of their time conducting outreach relevant to the teen population, 5% of their time assisting with system programming implementation, and 5% of their time making title recommendations for young adult collections. Post Date: 2/23/2026 First Review of Applications: 3/16/2026 Location: R.T. Jones Memorial Library (HQ), 116 Brown Industrial Parkway, Canton, GA 30114 Salary & Benefits: $38,000.00 Annually, Paid Annual Leave, Sick Leave & Holidays. State Health Benefit Plan, Flexible Benefits and Teacher Retirement System. Schedule: Full-Time, 40 hours per week. Typical schedule is daytime hours, with possible evening and weekend hours. Flexibility is required. Responsibilities: Design, implement and evaluate a variety of programs and services appropriate to the identified interests and developmental needs of teens. 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. Oversee the SRLS Teen Advisory Board (TAB), including but not limited to recruiting members, leading regular meetings, guiding officers and their duties, managing TAB-led programming, connecting members to volunteer opportunities and recording volunteer hours, and maintaining regular communications. Promote teen library services directly to teens through school visits, library tours, etc., and through engaging caregivers, educators and other teen-serving community partners. Prepares publicity for programs through print designs and online via social media. Demonstrate broad knowledge and appreciation of teen literature, including authors and publishers. Working with collection services to build a collection designed to meet the needs of the teen community, recommending the selection of young adult collections at all branch locations. Pursue a variety of information sources, including popular media, to keep current on topics relevant to teens. Provide a schedule of teen programs for inclusion in system wide promotional materials in a timely manner. Work with the Programming Manager to maintain communication and collaboration with branch staff. Maintains a forward-thinking and positive mindset, and actively pursues resolution when conflict arises. Demonstrates a strong sense of self-motivation and displays the ability to move library tasks forward whether that be individually or with a team. Cultivates and maintains positive staff relationships on all levels. Communicates effectively and positively with a wide variety of team members internally as well as individuals externally (patrons, program presenters, and community partners). Work with the Programming Manager to help implement system programming as needed including but not limited to Local Author Market and 1000 Books Before Kindergarten Graduation. Assists with duties in absence of Programming Manager. Understand and adhere to the mission, values, and vision of the library organization and maintain current knowledge, trends and development through continuing education. Qualifications: Bachelor’s degree or equivalent combination of education, training and experience. 1 year job related experience; preferably working in a library or with the public in a customer service or retail field. 1 year job related experience in program or event planning and/or working with youth. Bilingual ability is a plus in serving a diverse community. Skills & Abilities: Ability to be creative, promote new ideas and identify a variety of tools and techniques to create interesting and engaging programs. 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

Discover Sequoyah Regional Library System this National Library Card Sign-Up Month SRLS News Discover Sequoyah Regional Library System this National Library Card Sign-Up Month August 26, 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 .