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New Buncombe County branch managers outline community programs, training and renovation plans
Summary
Three recently assigned branch managers described arts, outreach and training plans: artist-designed branch crests, sprinter van pop-mobile wrap, special-need and homelessness service training, partnerships with HHS, Homeward Bound and AHOPE, and plans to keep branches engaged during renovation.
At a nonofficial Buncombe County advisory meeting, three library managers introduced themselves and described plans to expand programming, partnerships and branch improvements.
Erin Parcells, identified herself as the library services manager at PAC Memorial Library and described initiatives including commissioning local artists to design branch crests, creating a vehicle wrap for the pop-mobile (a recently acquired sprinter van), and converting an upstairs public area into an art/display space and flexible programming area. "So my background is... I am the library services manager at PAC Memorial Library," Erin said as she outlined plans to refresh furniture, paint and carpeting where possible and to rearrange public computers to make the space more inviting.
Erin also said she has completed a public library social work degree and is developing staff training and a frequently asked-questions guide to better serve people experiencing homelessness, in partnership with county HHS, Homeward Bound, AHOPE and Buncombe County’s new homeless services coordinator.
Kate Spratt, the new manager at Inka Candler Library, highlighted children’s and inclusive programming, the promotion of a staff member (Keith Gaugher) to children’s librarian, and a partnership that created a Goodwill library card so Goodwill participants can check out materials and participate in library scavenger-hunt activities. "We were able to create a library card for Goodwill so that everyone can check out books," Spratt said.
Carl, the newest West Asheville branch manager, said he is concentrating on community-driven programming and preserving the library’s local presence during an upcoming renovation. He described building Friends of the Library support and staging neighborhood engagement while the branch is closed for work.
Community partners and board members welcomed the managers’ plans and offered help: Samantha from Goodwill offered staff assistance for joint programming, and several items — from preschool outreach to monthly community events like a co-hosted "primal scream" with New Belgium Brewery and a women writers panel at Bagatelle bookstore — were mentioned as upcoming activities.
Next steps: managers will continue building partnerships, plan outreach while branches undergo renovation, and return with details for staffing, budgeting and scheduling for proposed facility upgrades and programs.
