In Appreciation – Library hosts annual luncheon
Front row, left to right: Carol Chaney, Torrie Osbon, Vickie Stephens, Thonda Glass, Kasey Warf, Bonnie Shaw, and Dawn Devore; Back row, left to right: Bart Rowland, Kevin Craine, Barry Gilley, Michael Welsh, Scotty Mosby, Lonnie Hodges, Gaye Shaw, Margaret Nance, Kenny Scott, David Smith, Harold Stilts, and Larry Wilson.
Jennifer Moonsong
Central Division, General Manager
Jobe Publishing, Inc.
Each year the Metcalfe County Public Library gathers state and local officials together for a meal to say thank you for their support. This year, there were many new faces and some familiar ones as well.
Those in attendance expressed their appreciation as well.
“I want to say thank you, and that I appreciate everything the library does for the community,” said Magistrate, Kenny Scott.
After sharing some statistics Library Director, Rhonda Glass took the opportunity to share some stories about feedback she has received from the community this past year.
“What we do is so much more than you see here in black and white,” Glass said.
For example, they partner with the school system each year to ring the bell for literacy. The library partners with both the health department and the extension program to offer health and wellness programs.
As a creative outlet, the library offers crafting classes; one patron shared with Glass how the classes helped her relieve work stress.
The Chamber of Commerce and library partner each year to take story hour children trick or treating at businesses around the square. Last fall a great grandmother with mobility challenges wanted to trick or treat with her great-granddaughter and the library accommodated the request.
“She called back later that day and told us how special it was for her to be part of that, and I will always think of that now each year when we trick or treat,” said Glass.
When it comes to numbers and statistics, what the library offers is quite impressive.
The services are free, but the tallies reflect what it would cost if they had to be paid for.
In the 2017-2018 year, 31,134 books were checked out. At $30 each, the total is $934,020.00 926 audiobooks at $60 each are valued at $55,560.00. Other electronic materials totaling 9,211 at an approximated $45 each total $414,495.00.
262 programs are offered with 6642 people in attendance. At only five dollars per person, they offer the community $33,210 worth of free programs.
12,506 DVDs checked out Tallied at $25 each comes to $312,650.00
The total value of services for last year came to $2,212,610.00.
I think the library has done so well because you Rhonda, and you Kasey, have been such a good advocates for the library,” said state representative Bart Rowland, who was in attendance.
“And this is always a nice event.”
As for 2019-2020 the library hopes to soon make an announcement about the new bookmobile, which will soon be out and about in Metcalfe County.
