Andrew Carnegie’s vision for public libraries as a beacon for education and information has evolved with ever-changing technologies.
The Nantahala Regional Library system, the oldest in the state, has adapted with these changes. Since 1940, the system has served western North Carolina, with both Andrews and Murphy receiving initial Carnegie grants for the establishment of each town’s library.
As digitization and media have changed over the decades, the library is no longer just a place to check out a book or do research with reference materials and leave. They have taken on the role of community center, gathering place and a safe space as rural public and personal needs have changed.
Recognizing that need for adaptation, the N.C. Cardinal system serves as a “consortium of North Carolina public libraries that share an online catalog and integrated library system.”
According to Franklin Shook, director of the regional library system and based at the Murphy branch, with the move in 2022 to N.C. Cardinal “we now have access to 7.8 million physical items across the state. This includes ebooks, audiobooks, magazines, many of which can be read on your digital devices. Or they can be ordered from anywhere in North Carolina.”
Shook’s tagline for the regional system is to “Never Leave Empty Minded,” which lends itself well considering total offerings expanded from 100,000 items with the addition of the new system.
Shook added that this access also helps library patrons extract the most from both their local and state tax dollars because there is no cost for your library card. The local library is one place where there is no expectation of patrons spending any money whatsoever.
A staunch advocate for the regional library system, Shook generally attends state and national meetings pleading the cause of rural libraries and the special nature of our region being able to access information. The Nantahala Regional Library System consists of four branches in three counties:
- Cherokee – Andrews Public Library and Murphy Public Library;
- Clay – Moss Memorial Library in Hayesville;
- Graham – Graham County Public Library in Robbinsville.
Kelly Pierce Bryant and Jacqueline Hulse, 20-plus year employees and branch co-managers at the Andrews Public Library, said the move to N.C. Cardinal helped them expand offerings after being “sideswiped like everyone else” during the COVID-19 shutdown.
“We serve a vast community, from newborn to 101 years old. We have different services besides books and DVDs now,” Bryant said.
“We do art shows. We have special social events and programs for kids and adults. We have meeting rooms available for the public. We’re adding more programming in the future to include a Native American Collection and music and storytelling. So we’re not just books anymore.”
Hulse, who in charge of new materials acquisitions, added, “I couldn’t do this by myself,” referring to Bryant’s five-month absence while battling cancer. The team effort adds to the familial atmosphere at the library.
The sense of cooperation also applies to library card reciprocation between not only every branch in the Nantahala Regional Library system, but also the Fontana Regional Library system as well as the Nantahala Community Library at Nantahala School, meaning anyone either residing year-round or part time in the area can request materials or use facilities.
The switch to N.C. Cardinal during the shutdown provided a time for the libraries to weed through older materials in their respective collections to allow for additions and prevent redundancies, while also allowing time for maintenance since the branches weren’t busy attending to the public’s varied requests.
“We also offered free wireless access during the shutdowns so people who sheltered in place were able to access work and school online, even though they couldn’t physically enter the building,” Bryant said.
That idea of community is also evident by each branch’s staff’s willingness to assist. Shook says each library’s staff is eager to help you find anything you want from that initial library card to access computers, printing and faxing documents capability, audio books, document copying services and magazines, all for free, including events to both participate in virtually and personally attend.
Upcoming events in Andrews include monthly Book Club, Summer Reading Programs for youth, story time for children each week, animals visiting July 21 and the addition of a Little Free Library in Ferebee Park at the end of summer. Every program has support by partnering with local groups, including the Andrews Chambers of Commerce, Master Gardeners and Valleytown Visionary Guild.
The fundraising arm of each library includes a Friends of the Library group, which works to provide ancillary materials in the form of items not covered by state or local governmental budgets.
Each branch of the Nantahala Regional Library is a valuable resource that provides aid to citizens by offering outreach and guidance from other group.
Details: visit nrlibrary.org.