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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.

< Back Sequoyah Regional Library System Receives $1,000 Donation from the Retired Educator Recognition Initiative The Cherokee County Chamber of Commerce Education Committee, in partnership with Enjoy Cherokee Magazine and WLJA 101.1 FM, has donated $1,000 to Sequoyah Regional Library System in recognition of retiring educators from the Cherokee County School District. The donation will be used to purchase materials for the library locations in Cherokee county. Previous Next

Calendar of Events at the Sequoyah Regional Library System SRLS Events

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

< Back The Hickory Flat Public Library Grand Opening The Hickory Flat Public Library Grand Opening The Hickory Flat Public Library Grand Opening and Ribbon Cutting will be held on July 25 at 3 PM. Sequoyah Regional Library System invites all members of the community to join them at 2740 East Cherokee Drive as they open their doors for the first time to celebrate the official Grand Opening and Ribbon Cutting of the renovated Hickory Flat Public Library on July 25. Following the 3 PM ribbon cutting ceremony there will be tours, refreshments, and an opportunity to sign up for library cards. An additional Summer Discovery Finale will be held at 4:30 PM with a fun puppet show with That Puppet Guy. "We are looking forward and ready for the ribbon cutting, not just as a celebration for the opening but an opportunity to say thank you,” says Angela Cortellino, Executive Director of SRLS. “This renovation and expansion of our library was possible because of community support, and the support of our local and state leaders. The project was funded by SPLOST and a state grant. The ribbon cutting is a celebration of all the things that made the project possible." The Hickory Flat Renovation and Expansion Project officially began on Wednesday, January 25, 2023 with a celebratory groundbreaking featuring Sequoyah Regional Library System staff and board members turning the soil with Cherokee County officials and the Cherokee Chamber of Commerce. "This library is all about people,” says Cortellino. “We have a variety of spaces for groups of all sizes to gather and connect. Places for children to play and adults to discover. Places to learn and places to reflect. I think everyone will find something in this space to connect with." The finished renovation of the Hickory Flat Public Library building, originally built in 1993, includes an addition of 7,800 square feet to the building. The building was designed by CAS Architecture and built by Hollandsworth Construction. With an expanded and renovated library facility, the Sequoyah Regional Library System 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. "We are incredibly excited to feature our Third Space, a place where anyone can come and get work done, relax, or have a quick meeting,” says Cortellino. “This space is meant to reflect a variety of needs, for everyone." Hickory Flat Public Library Full Service Hours: Monday 10:00 AM – 8:00 PM Tuesday 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM Wednesday 10:00 AM – 8:00 PM Thursday 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM Friday 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM Saturday 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM To view the library system’s full programming schedule and register for events, visit https://bit.ly/Calendar-SRLS . Please continue to visit our website, SequoyahRegionalLibrary.org , for updates and announcements about the project, as well as up-to-date service hours for the Hickory Flat Public Library. Previous Next

< Back Hickory Flat Public Library Update Nov 1, 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 the spring of 2024. We are excited to share some of the bright and welcoming colors the community will see in the space. Once construction is complete, there will be several weeks installing shelving, furniture, technology, and the collection. Designed by CAS Architecture, the Hickory Flat Library Renovation and Expansion construction is being completed by Hollandsworth Construction. Previous Next

EZ Student Access: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. EZ Student Access Cherokee County Schools Pickens County School Georgia Cyber Academy Cherokee County School District 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. Students that opt-in to the program are added to the SRLS cardholder database. Students can use their lunch number as their ID and the first 4 digits of the lunch number as a PIN number to access physical and digital materials. Elementary Middle High Pickens County Schools Sequoyah Regional Library System has entered into an agreement with the Pickens County School District to extend borrowing privileges to all students in Pickens County Schools. Students that opt-in to the program are added to the SRLS cardholder database. Students can use their lunch number as their ID and the first 4 digits of the lunch number as a PIN number to access physical and digital materials. Elementary Middle High Georgia Cyber Academy Sequoyah Regional Library System has entered into an agreement with the Georgia Cyber Academy to extend borrowing privileges to all GCA students in Cherokee, Pickens and Gilmer county. Students can use their Student ID as their ID and the first 4 digits of their Student ID as a PIN number to access physical and digital materials. Elementary Middle High Cherokee FAQ's Pickens FAQ's GCA FAQ's Contact Us

This winter, visit your library, curl up with a good book, and win special prizes along the way by participating with Beanstack. SRLS News Winter Literacy and Holiday Happenings at SRLS November 21, 2024 Holiday Happenings at Sequoyah Regional Library System Sequoyah Regional Library System is excited to announce Winter Literacy 2024: Snow Place Like the Library. Each year, the SRLS Winter Literacy initiative encourages continued reading and community engagement throughout the winter break. From December 1 through January31, community members can participate in an all-ages reading challenge for the chance to win prizes. SRLS will be hosting multiple holiday events and programs at each of its libraries for community members to attend at no cost, including the annual Holiday Open Houses. Holiday Open Houses feature a meet and greet with Santa, local performances and visits, and more. View our Holiday Open House schedule here: - Gilmer County Library | December 2, 5:00 PM - Pickens County Library | December 3, 5:30 PM - Woodstock Public Library | December 5, 5:30 PM - Ball Ground Public Library | December 5, 5:30 PM - Hickory Flat Public Library | December 9, 5:00 PM - Rose Creek Public Library | December 10, 6:00 PM - R.T. Jones Memorial Library | December 11, 5:30 PM To learn more about Winter Literacy and the holiday happenings at SRLS, please visit our Winter Literacy webpage: SequoyahRegionalLibrary.org/Winter-Literacy. Library cards are always available at no cost to community members in Cherokee, Pickens, and Gilmer counties. We look forward to seeing you at the library!

Sequoyah Regional Library System Receives Great Stories Grant SRLS News Sequoyah Regional Library System Receives Great Stories Grant July 5, 2023 The Sequoyah Regional Library System has been selected by the American Library Association (ALA), with support from the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) as one of 58 libraries to receive implementation grants for the Great Stories Club, a thematic reading and discussion program for underserved teens. The two awarded grants include “Deeper Than Our Skins: The Present Is a Conversation with the Past” and “Finding Your Voice: Speaking Truth to Power”. As part of the Great Stories Club, staff from SRLS will work with a small group of teens to read and discuss stories that explore questions of race, equity, identity and history. The titles were selected to inspire young people — especially those facing difficult circumstances or challenges — to consider “big questions” about the world around them and their place in it. SRLS will receive two $500 programming stipends, one per theme, and 11 copies of each of the selected books. The books will be gifted to the book club participants. Since 2006, ALA’s Great Stories Club has helped libraries engage young adults with accessible, thought-provoking literature. To learn more about the Great Stories Club, please visit ala.org/greatstories .

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

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

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