Libraries are vital community hubs in small towns like Elberton, Georgia. Libraries often serve as a safe space for learning, connecting and can offer many opportunities for those who face social or economic challenges. With Elberton’s only library, how exactly are they keeping up with these opportunities?
The Harris Allen Building, now known as the Elbert County Public Library, resides on Heard Street in Elberton, Georgia. In late 1959, the Civic League began discussing a need for a county library and appointed John Williford to investigate.
After discovering how to seek funds for a library, the Civic League placed ads in the paper, wrote letters to the editor and discussed the matter with county leaders. Agreeing upon fundraising about $150 per month, they only faced one last issue. Finding a librarian.
The Masonic Lodge agreed to make a larger room available for the library, rent free. Pauline Brown, the city librarian remained there until they could employee a new librarian the state would accept. Sara Maxwell was hired later that year, which allowed the state to award funds for materials for the library.
Community outreach began growing as the library hosted summer clubs, book sales and talking about books with children. With such programs still available today, we’ve reached out to see how the Elbert County Library continues to be a great resource for their community.
In an interview with the current director of Elbert County Public Library, Janet Burroughs, she says “We have a weekly toddler story time every Tuesday, we also provide what we call ‘the little seed library’. We got some of our partners such as Southern Farm and Hardware & the Georgia Farm Bureau involved in buying seeds at low-costs and we give them to residents and families which gives them the opportunity to learn about gardening and growing vegetables”
These workshops are with the support of staff, Mrs. Burroughs’s shares, “there’s about 5-8 employees throughout the year” while some may work part-time, “full-time employees have the luxury of benefitting from things like dental, health and life insurance.”
Without the backing of the city and residents that demand access to things like books, hotspots, computers or opportunities are not brought into question.
According to 2015 Pew survey, 90% of Americans ages 16 and older say that closing their local library would have a severe impact on their community. Adults that consider public libraries as ‘welcoming’ mirrored these results.
Larger areas up north such as New York, Virginia and even Maryland hosts several public libraries within many communities. With the scarceness of libraries, rural areas like Elberton, Georgia lean on community support for its success. In the coming future, Director of Elbert County Public Library, Janet Burroughs’, hopes to have better funding for future renovations.
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