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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

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 The Hickory Flat Public Library Construction Is on Schedule Aug 30, 2023 Sequoyah Regional Library System has announced that construction of the Hickory Flat Public Library Renovation and Expansion project, which broke ground in January of 2023, is currently scheduled to be completed in early 2024.“The next steps include framing, exterior walls, and windows,” says Angela Cortellino, Executive Director of SRLS. “With the work that has been completed in the past few weeks, the building is really starting to take shape.”A majority of the site work has been completed, including utility lines and new building pads that will extend the square footage of the building for expanded youth, programming, and teen spaces. The finished renovation will include an addition of 7,800 square feet to the building. With an expanded and renovated library facility, the SRLS community will have more space for books and technology; larger areas for programs, meetings, collaboration, and creation; and additional seating for study and quiet reading. The Hickory Flat Public Library building will be closed to the public for the entirety of the construction. During the construction, community members can still access SRLS programs and services by visiting any of the neighboring libraries in Cherokee, Pickens, and Gilmer counties. Designed by CAS Architecture, the Hickory Flat Library Renovation and Expansion construction is being completed by Hollandsworth Construction. Previous Next

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

< Back Hickory Flat Public Library Update 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

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

SRLS News Hickory Flat Public Library Update August 30, 2023 HF Construction Is on Schedule.pdf 20230804_103637-scaled.jpg Sequoyah Regional Library System has announced that construction of the Hickory Flat Public Library Renovation and Expansion project, which broke ground in January of 2023, is currently scheduled to be completed in early 2024. SRLS News Hickory Flat Public Library Update August 30, 2023 Sequoyah Regional Library System has announced that construction of the Hickory Flat Public Library Renovation and Expansion project, which broke ground in January of 2023, is currently scheduled to be completed in early 2024.“The next steps include framing, exterior walls, and windows,” says Angela Cortellino, Executive Director of SRLS. “With the work that has been completed in the past few weeks, the building is really starting to take shape.”A majority of the site work has been completed, including utility lines and new building pads that will extend the square footage of the building for expanded youth, programming, and teen spaces. The finished renovation will include an addition of 7,800 square feet to the building. With an expanded and renovated library facility, the SRLS community will have more space for books and technology; larger areas for programs, meetings, collaboration, and creation; and additional seating for study and quiet reading. The Hickory Flat Public Library building will be closed to the public for the entirety of the construction. During the construction, community members can still access SRLS programs and services by visiting any of the neighboring libraries in Cherokee, Pickens, and Gilmer counties. Designed by CAS Architecture, the Hickory Flat Library Renovation and Expansion construction is being completed by Hollandsworth Construction.

Sequoyah Regional Library Experience Passes Museums, Nature, and Arts Experience Passes Funk Heritage Pass Michael C. Carlos Museum Macon Museum Shakespeare Tavern History Cherokee Museum Mimms Museum of Technology and Art Georgia State Parks Woodstock Arts The Breman Museum Go Fish Georgia Chattahoochee Nature Center Center for Puppetry Arts Alliance Theatre Museums Funk FUNK HERITAGE PASS CHECK AVAILABILITY VISIT THEIR WEBSITE Located on the Reinhardt University campus, the Funk Heritage Center is a certified National Park Service Trail of Tears Interpretive Site. Visitors can explore their numerous informative exhibits that will immerse them in narratives reaching far into the region’s ancient past. Pass Details Available for checkout to adult patrons only. You must check the Pass out and bring it to the museum with you. The Pass is good for four (4) free admissions to the museum. Checkout period: 7 days Renewals: 1 Holds allowed: No Replacement fee: $40.00 The Funk Heritage Center pass is valid for regular admission only and not for special events. HISTORY CHEROKEE PASS CHECK AVAILABILITY VISIT THEIR WEBSITE History Cherokee is a nonprofit organization engaged in the collection, preservation, and interpretation of Cherokee County history. Pass Details Available for checkout to adult patrons only. You must check the Pass out and bring it to the museum with you. The Pass is good for four (4) free admissions to the museum. Checkout period: 7 days Renewals: 1 Holds allowed: No Replacement fee: $40.00 The Cherokee County History Center Pass is valid for regular admission only and not for special events. History Cherokee The Breman, Atlanta's Jewish Museum is home to the permanent exhibition Absence of Humanity: The Holocaust Years, 1933-1945 ; the Blonder Family Gallery dedicated to Southern Jewish History ; and the Schwartz Gallery, which hosts a variety of traveling and rotating exhibitions . The Museum Library and Cuba Family Archives add to the on-site offerings while The Weinberg Center for Holocaust Education provides a wonderful educational resource for students, teachers, and lifelong learners. Pass Details Available for checkout to adult patrons only. Please visit the Breman Museum's website for current hours, as they are subject to change. You must check the Pass out and bring it to the museum with you. The Pass is good for four (4) free admissions to the museum. Checkout period: 7 days Renewals: 1 Holds allowed: No Replacement fee: $50 The Bremen Museum Pass is for general admission only and is not valid for special events or exhibits. BREMAN MUSEUM PASS CHECK AVAILABILITY VISIT THEIR WEBSITE Breman Anchor 1 MICHAEL C. CARLOS MUSEUM CHECK AVAILABILITY VISIT THEIR WEBSITE Set in the heart of Emory’s Atlanta campus, the Michael C. Carlos Museum is a dynamic, interdisciplinary center for the study of art and culture, with collections from Africa; ancient Egypt, Nubia, and the Near East; ancient Greece and Rome; the Indigenous Americas; and South Asia; as well as American and European Works on Paper. Pass Details Available for checkout to adult patrons only. You must check the Pass out and bring it to the museum with you. The Pass is good for six (6) free admissions to the museum. Checkout period: 7 days Renewals: 1 Holds allowed: No Replacement fee: $40.00 The Michael C. Carlos Museum Pass is valid for regular admission only and not for special events. Carlos MACON MUSEUM PASS CHECK AVAILABILITY MUSEUM OF ART & SCIENCES TUBMAN MUSEUM GA SPORTS HALL OF FAME The Georgia Sports Hall of Fame and Museum, is the country’s largest state sports museum. The Museum of Arts & Sciences includes the Discovery House (with three floors of interactive exhibits,) the Planetarium and Observatory with multiple showtimes daily, and Science on a Sphere, a room-sized, global display system that uses computers and video projectors to display planetary data onto a six-foot diameter sphere. The Tubman Museum celebrates African American art, history and culture, the largest museum in the nation dedicated to educating people about the Art, History and Culture of African Americans. Pass Details Available for checkout to adult patrons only. You must check the Pass out and bring it to the museum of your choice with you. The Pass is good for four (4) free admissions to the museum of your choice. Checkout period: 7 days Renewals: 1 Holds allowed: No Replacement fee: $100.00 The Macon Museum Pass is valid for regular admission only and not for special events. Macon The Mimms Museum of Technology and Art located in Roswell, was created to preserve this history, and educate visitors on the past and future of computing, empowering the innovators of tomorrow. VISIT THEIR WEBSITE TECHNOLOGY MUSEUM PASS CHECK AVAILABILITY Computer Nature GO FISH CENTER PASS CHECK AVAILABILITY VISIT THEIR WEBSITE The Go Fish Education Center, operated by the Georgia Department of Natural Resources, Wildlife Resources Division and is core to the Go Fish Georgia Initiative. The Center’s facilities, programs and outreach directly support the Initiative’s mission to promote and enhance boating and fishing tourism in Georgia and to boost economic development in communities across the state. Pass Details Available for checkout to adult patrons only. You must check the Pass out and bring it to the center with you. The Pass is good for four (4) free admissions to the center. Checkout period: 7 days Renewals: 1 Holds allowed: No Replacement fee: $20.00 Go Fish Temporarily Unavailable CHECK AVAILABILITY VISIT THEIR WEBSITE GEORGIA STATE PARKS & HISTORIC SITES PASS The Department of Natural Resources’ Division of State Parks & Historic Sites manages more than 60 properties that preserve the state's environment and history. From the Blue Ridge Mountains to the Colonial Coast, our sites offer an exceptional variety of resources from mountains, lakes, and fields to battlefields, historic homes and Native American sites. Pass Details Available for checkout to adult patrons only. You must check the Pass out and bring it to a state park or historic site with you. The State Park Hang Tag is good for parking only at any Georgia state park. The Historic Site Pass is good for two (2) free admissions to any Georgia historic site. Checkout period: 7 days Renewals: 1 Holds allowed: No Replacement fee: State Park Hang Tag - $50.00, Historic Site Pass - $50.00 The Historic Site Family Pass may be used once per day, per site, per family. The Historic Site Pass is valid for regular admission only and not for special events, tours, or program fees. Parks CHATTAHOOCHEE NATURE CENTER PASS CHECK AVAILABILITY VISIT THEIR WEBSITE The Chattahoochee Nature Center's mission is to connect people with nature. At the center you can explore metro Atlanta’s nature destination. Enjoy trails, exhibits, programs, and events on 127 acres of forest, wetland, and river habitat. on the Chattahoochee River, an experience, unlike any other Atlanta attraction. Pass Details Available for checkout to adult patrons only. You must check the Pass out and bring it to the center with you. The Pass is good for four (4) free admissions to the center. Checkout period: 7 days Renewals: 1 Holds allowed: No Replacement fee: $45.00 The Pass may be used during the Chattahoochee Nature Center’s normal operating hours. The Chattahoochee Nature Center Pass is valid for regular admission only and not for special events. Nature Center Arts Shakespeare SHAKESPEARE TAVERN PASS CHECK AVAILABILITY VISIT THEIR WEBSITE The home of the Atlanta Shakespeare Company, the Shakespeare Tavern® Playhouse has an enchanting history and a prime location in downtown Atlanta. The Atlanta Shakespeare Company is a bright and talented group of professionals who interpret, direct, produce and perform the works of William Shakespeare...and much more! Pass Details Available for checkout to adult patrons only. When you check out the Pass, you will be given a Voucher to accompany the Pass. You must bring the Pass and the accompanying Voucher to the theatre with you. The Pass is good for two (2) free tickets to a performance at the Shakespeare Tavern, either for general admission OR for balcony tiered seating performance. Checkout period: 7 days Renewals: 1 Holds allowed: No Replacement fee: $60.00 Tickets are available on a first-come, first-serve basis and may not be available for closing weekend performances or non-Atlanta Shakespeare Company productions, such as companies renting the Playhouse. CHECK AVAILABILITY VISIT THEIR WEBSITE WOODSTOCK ARTS PASS Since 2002, Woodstock Arts Theatre has been providing world-class theatre productions in the heart of Woodstock. Since then, the theatre has expanded to attract the Greater Northern Atlanta area with professional and semi-professional talent as well as receiving 9 Metropolitan Atlanta Theatre Awards. Pass Details Available for checkout to adult patrons only. You must check the Pass out and bring it to the theatre with you. The Pass is good for four (4) admissions into a Woodstock Arts theatre production. Checkout period: 7 days Renewals: 1 Holds allowed: No Replacement fee: $40.00 The Woodstock Arts Theatre Pass is valid for regular admission only and not for special events. Woodstock Arts THE ALLIANCE THEATRE PASS CHECK AVAILABILITY VISIT THEIR WEBSITE The Alliance Theatre is a theater company in Atlanta, Georgia, based at the Alliance Theatre, part of the Robert W. Woodruff Arts Center Founded in 1968, the Alliance Theatre is the leading producing theater in the Southeast, reaching more than 165,000 patrons annually. Pass Details Available for checkout to adult patrons only. You must check the Pass out and bring it to the theatre with you. The Pass is good for four (4) admissions to a Family Series production or two (2) admissions to a Coca-Cola and Hertz Series production Checkout period: 7 days Renewals: 1 Holds allowed: No Replacement fee: $75.00 Tickets are purchased using the promo code on the Pass. Go to https://www.alliancetheatre.org/librarypass or scan the QR code on the pass Enter the Pass’ promo code in the top right-hand corner of the screen. Select our desired performance, date, and time. Tickets will appear as price type "Library Pass” Select the number of tickets using this price type and complete the checkout process. A confirmation email will be sent to your email. Library Pass tickets will be held for pickup at the Box Office. The Alliance Pass is valid for current shows only and tickets are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Temporarily Unavailable Alliance Theatre CENTER FOR PUPPETRY ARTS PASS CHECK AVAILABILITY VISIT THEIR WEBSITE The Center for Puppetry Arts is a unique cultural treasure — a magical place where children and adults are educated, enlightened and entertained. Since 1978, the Center has introduced millions of visitors to the wonder and art of puppetry and has touched the lives of many through enchanting performances. Pass Details Available for checkout to adult patrons only. You must check the Pass out and bring it to the center with you. The Pass is good for four (4) admissions to the World of Puppetry Museum or a patron can receive a 25% discount on an All-Inclusive Ticket. An All-Inclusive ticket is for one (1) person and includes: a family series performance, a create-a-puppet workshop, and the admission to the museum. Checkout period: 7 days Renewals: 1 Holds allowed: No Replacement fee: $32.00 This discount is not valid for online sales, for previously purchased tickets, for group ticket sales, or with any other discount. The All-Inclusive discount must be redeemed on the day of their visit to the Center. It is highly suggested patrons call at least 48 hours in advance to inform the Center they will be using the Pass to redeem an All-Inclusive Ticket. Puppetry

We are eight locations working together as one library, to serve our growing communities of Cherokee, Picken,s and Gilmer counties. About Your Library Administration CLICK HERE Board of Trustees CLICK HERE Success Measures CLICK HERE Strategic Plan CLICK HERE Guided by Open Access, Service Excellence, Community Engagement, and Continuous Learning, the Sequoyah Regional Library System (SRLS) has a vision to be the community’s dynamic destination for discovery. We are eight locations working together as one library, to serve our growing communities of Cherokee, Pickens and Gilmer counties. Our mission is to connect people with ideas and opportunities to explore, learn, and create. Vendors CLICK HERE History CLICK HERE Contact Us CLICK HERE Fines & Fees CLICK HERE Job Opportunities CLICK HERE Policies CLICK HERE Library News CLICK HERE Support CLICK HERE

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 2025 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 CHECK OUT OUR WINTER PROGRAMS GETTING STARTED WITH BEANSTACK Downloads the Beanstack App Select “Get Started” Select “Yup!” Search for SRLS WINTER LITERACY INFORMATION 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. Gilmer County Library: December 1st, 5:00 PM - 7:30PM Ball Ground Public Library: December 4th, 6:00PM - 7:30PM R.T. Jones Memorial Library: December 8th, 5:00PM - 7:00PM Pickens County Library, December 9th, 5:00PM - 7:00PM Rose Creek Public Library: December 9th, 6:00PM - 7:30PM Hickory Flat Public Library: December 10th, 5:00PM - 7:00PM Woodstock Public Library: December 11th, 5:30PM - 7:30PM Thank you to all of our Winter Literacy partners. This program would not have been possible without your help!

Now Available From Our Library of Things Craftsman Tool Kits & Franklin Sensors Stud Finders SRLS News Now Available From Our Library of Things October 31, 2025 Sequoyah Regional Library System is excited to announce two new additions to our Library Of Things: Craftsman Tool Kits & Franklin Sensors Stud Finders! With these new items available for check out, patrons can complete projects and work on maintenance around the home without spending extra on tools. 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. View all of our items available for check out from Library of Things on our website: SequoyahRegionalLibrary.org/library-of-things

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 .