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New Buncombe County branch managers outline renovations, social‑service training and community programs
Summary
Three library managers — Erin Parcells at PAC, Kate Spratt at the Candler branch and Carl at West Asheville — described branch improvements, hiring, partnerships with Goodwill and NC Works, and plans for staff social‑work training and community outreach while branches are renovated.
Erin Parcells, the library services manager at PAC Memorial Library, introduced a slate of local initiatives including a plan to commission a local artist for a PAC library crest and to work with staff on a vehicle wrap for the system’s pop‑mobile; she said the system recently received a sprinter van to replace a truck. "So my name is Erin Parcells, and I am the library services manager at PAC Memorial Library," she said as she summarized her return to PAC and the partnership work she has begun.
Erin outlined interior changes she and staff are pursuing to make the branch more welcoming—new furniture, paint and carpeting—and said they plan to rearrange the upstairs floor to create an art space and more visible programming areas. She also described training work with HHS, Homeward Bound, AHOPE and Buncombe County’s new homeless services coordinator to prepare staff to help patrons who are unhoused or in crisis.
Kate Spratt, the branch manager who earlier served part time in the system, said she has hired a new children’s librarian, promoted Keith Gaugher from library assistant, and will continue programs such as a reading mentors initiative that invites men from the community to read to children. Kate described a partnership with Goodwill to create library cards and programs for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities and said those visits include activities such as a scavenger hunt to familiarize participants with the library.
Samantha from Goodwill said participants are "loving going over to the library," praising the collaboration. Kate added that a meeting is scheduled with Mary Long to expand the partnership.
Carl, the newest manager at West Asheville, said he brings extensive experience from other systems and emphasized listening to the community before making big changes. He noted the branch will be renovated and stressed the importance of keeping the library present in the neighborhood during closure—through outreach, engagement events and strengthening the Friends of the Library to support community energy while the facility is closed.
Managers described several planned community events, including recurring pop‑up programming, a "paint your BFF" series, a monthly co‑hosted "primal scream" event with New Belgium Brewery and a women writers panel at Bagatelle bookstore. The managers asked board members to help connect neighborhood groups to crest and branding efforts and to support outreach for National Library Week events in April.
The introductions were made informally because the advisory board did not have a quorum; the managers’ remarks were presented as information and plans rather than formal proposals requiring board action.
