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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 .

Georgia Department of Human Services Kiosks Now Available at Select SRLS Locations SRLS News Georgia Department of Human Services Kiosks Now Available at Select SRLS Locations May 15, 2024 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.

< Back Hickory Flat Public Library on Schedule to Be Completed in Late Summer 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 July of 2024. The majority of construction on the building has been completed. The next phase of the project consists of shelving installation, furniture installation, collection reshelving, equipment and technology installation, as well as staff placement and training. This phase is expected to take up to 12 weeks to complete. Updates to the design of the Hickory Flat Public Library include three conference rooms, a larger community space with updated technology, an outdoor courtyard with an exciting play design for children, and a unique roof with elevated roof stacks. “Our architect got creative, working within the confines of the existing roof line and revolving roof conditions, without adding additional unnecessary cost to the budget,” says Angela Cortellino, Executive Director of SRLS. “The entire building was painted to update the appearance and match the overall aesthetic of the renovated space, which includes existing exterior brick.” The design also reflects a building meant for community use. “In addition to the conference rooms and community space, this design features a space we are calling ‘the third space.’ It is a space someone can work in, meet others in, or just casually gather,” added Cortellino. The third space design at the Hickory Flat Library features multiple access points to power, flexible furniture, unique seating, and even access to a kitchenette. “We want the community to feel like this is where they can come and spend time, and accomplish what is important to them.” With an expanded and renovated library facility, the 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 project includes a renovation of the Hickory Flat Public Library building, originally built in 1993. The library’s original 10,000 sq. ft. will be expanded and 7,800 sq. ft. will be added. Designed by CAS Architecture, the Hickory Flat Library Renovation and Expansion construction is being completed by Hollandsworth Construction. Please continue to visit SequoyahRegionalLibrary.org/hickory-flat-project for updates and announcements about this project. Previous Next

Sequoyah Regional Library System: Gilmer County Library Gilmer County Library Address 268 Calvin Jackson Drive Ellijay, GA 30540 Contact 706-635-4528 Manager: Alex Thomerson Opening Hours Monday 9:00 am – 8:00 pm Tuesday 9:00 am – 8:00 pm Wednesday 9:00 am – 8:00 pm Thursday 9:00 am – 8:00 pm COMMUNITY SPACES UPCOMING EVENTS Friday 9:00 am – 6:00 pm Saturday 9:00 am – 6:00 pm Sunday CLOSED

Sequoyah Regional Library Digitizing Equipment: Gilmer County Library (made possible in part by a grant awarded by Faith Hope and Charity) Rose Creek Public Library (made possible in part by a grant awarded by Cobb EMC) Digitizing Equipment The following branches offer free use of digitizing equipment: Gilmer County Library (made possible in part by a grant awarded by Faith Hope and Charity) Rose Creek Public Library (made possible in part by a grant awarded by Cobb EMC) Guidelines for Use: A library account in good standing is required to use digitizing equipment. Accepted formats include images of any size up to 12”x17” (including drawings, maps, or large books), standard photographic slides, negative films, DVD/VHS recordings, cassettes, and CDs/DVDs (Rose Creek Public Library ONLY). Users should be 18 years of age or older to use the digitizing equipment and must have a valid SRLS library card. Completion of the Digitizing Equipment Request Form by a parent/guardian is required for users under 18 years old. Appointments can be scheduled for a maximum of 3 hours. If equipment is not reserved by another user, a maximum of 2 appointments can be scheduled per day. Users who schedule appointments are responsible for any misuse or damage to library equipment. If equipment is damaged beyond repair, users will be charged full replacement cost as assessed by SRLS. Food and drink are not permitted when using the equipment. User agrees that the library will be held harmless and is not liable for any damage or injury to user or user’s personal property as a result of using the library digitizing equipment. Items with excessive damage, including but not limited to mold or mildew, are ineligible for digitizing. Library staff will inspect items for damage. Library staff can provide assistance on using equipment but may be unavailable to offer extensive help during appointments. Please note, appointments are not scheduled until confirmed by library staff. At the first appointment, staff will provide a brief overview of the equipment. For any questions about this new service, please contact Gilmer County Library at 706-635-4528 or Rose Creek Library at 770-591-1491. Digitizing Equipment Request Form

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.

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

This summer, create with your dynamic destination for discovery – the Sequoyah Regional Library System! Summer Discovery 2025 This summer, create with your dynamic destination for discovery – the Sequoyah Regional Library System! Explore your local library in June and July to participate in awesome programs at no cost featuring Jeffini the Great, amazing juggling tricks, creation-fueled education programs 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 to win collectible trading cards and prizes all summer long 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 Summer Discovery Challenge will begin June 1st and pre-registration opens on May 1st! JOIN THE SUMMER DISCOVERY READING CHALLENGE Register on Beanstack to join the Summer Discovery Challenge. Read art-themed titles and complete fun activities to earn Beanstack badges, trading cards, and tickets for end-of-summer prizes. Register for the Summer Discovery challenge on Beanstack to receive a “vintage” booster pack of Sequoyah Regional Library trading cards! JOIN THE SUMMER DISCOVERY CHALLENGE CHECK OUT OUR SUMMER PROGRAMS CHECK OUT THE SRLS LINKTREE SUMMER DISCOVERY INFO GUIDE SUMMER DISCOVERY COLLECTIBLE TRADING CARDS SEQUOYAH REGIONAL LIBRARY SYSTEM IS GOING FINE-FREE THIS SUMMER It’s now easier than ever to experience everything your public library has to offer. Sequoyah Regional Library System is going fine-free to celebrate Summer Discovery 2025. From June 1st through July 31st, items returned to the library will not have overdue fines! Some fines may be excluded. Ask library staff for details. Thank you to all of our Summer Discovery partners. This program would not have been possible without your help!

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!

Ball Ground Your dynamic destination for discovery Ball Ground Public Library Address 435 Old Canton Road Ball Ground, GA 30107 Contact 770-735-2025 Manager: Soleil Voxamare Opening Hours Monday 10:00 am – 6:00 pm Tuesday 10:00 am – 8:00 pm Wednesday 10:00 am – 6:00 pm Thursday 10:00 am – 8:00 pm COMMUNITY SPACES UPCOMING EVENTS Friday 10:00 am – 6:00 pm Saturday 10:00 am – 6:00 pm Sunday CLOSED

Fines and General Replacement Fees Replacement Fees for Print Materials 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, 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. 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 Short Sleeve Shirt: $15.00 SRLS Long Sleeve Shirt: $20.00 SRLS Tote: $12.00 Earbuds: $2.00 Flash Drive: $6.00 Items For Sale

Contact your library: 116 Brown Industrial Parkway Canton, GA 30114 Contact Us Address 116 Brown Industrial Parkway Canton, GA 30114 Phone 770-479-3090 Contact Form Contact Connect Local Author Information Learn More Suggest A Title Suggest A Title Share A Sequoyah Story Share What To Read Next Get Recommendations Contact Location Ball Ground Public Library 435 Old Canton Roa d Ball Ground, GA 30107 770-735-2025 Gilmer County Library 268 Calvin Jackson Drive Ellijay, GA 30540 706-635-4528 Hickory Flat Library 2740 East Cherokee Drive Canton, GA 30115 770-345-7565 Pickens County Library 100 Library Lane Jasper, GA 30143 706-692-5411 Rose Creek Public Library 4476 Towne Lake Parkway Woodstock, GA 30189 770-591-149 1 R.T. Jones Memorial Library 116 Brown Industrial Parkway Canton, GA 30114 770-479-309 0 Woodstock Public Library 7735 Main Street Woodstock, GA 30188 770-9 26-5859 Law Library 100 North Street Suite 250 Canton, GA 30114 678-493-6175