News Talk 94.1/AM 1600 Where The Upper Cumberland Talks
Algood will fund a full-time librarian to lead a library that circulates more books than the Baxter and Monterey facilities.
Putnam County Library System Director Kathryn Wisinger said despite being the smallest facility, Algood needs a full-time staffer to grow its presence in the community.
“We’d really like to expand the offerings in Algood,” Wisinger said. “We have a huge circulation there and again, as (City Administrator Keith Morrison) said, there’s lots of great programs. They’re connected to the senior center and so they often partner together but they offer all kinds of things for citizens here of all ages.”
City Administrator Keith Morrison said the city currently pays some $23,000 for a part-time librarian. The move to full time would cost an additional $8,000. Morrison said the change is a good opportunity that will benefit everyone in the community.
“I think this is a worthy cause to continue to give back to Algood, to the citizens,” Morrison said. “To give them more access to the library, more access to computers and internet and programming.”
Mayor Lisa Chapman-Fowler said she has no hesitation about the expense as the library is a vital asset to the community. Chapman-Fowler said she remembers growing up before there was a library in the city.
“We kept up with when the bookmobile was going to be here and what days and we couldn’t wait to get there and exchange books,” Chapman-Fowler said. “And so now that you don’t have to have a horse and buggy you can actually avail yourself of the library facilities. It’s nice that they’re here and they can do that.”
Wisinger said the system still working to determine what the new hours of the library would be with a full-time employee.
“Currently it is open from 10:30 to 4:30 Monday through Friday, but it could be open earlier and even later so that people who are getting off work could more readily access the library and use those resources,” Wisinger said.
The council ordinance was approved on first reading. There will be a second reading and public hearing on the item during the council’s December meeting.
