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Surry County proclaims National Library Week as local library partners highlight student programs
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Summary
The board declared April 19–25, 2026, National Library Week and attendees praised a student-run Blue Bear Cafe and library visit programs; the board adopted the proclamation and thanked library staff.
Speakers at the Surry County Board of Commissioners meeting on April 20 praised the county's library programs and the board adopted a proclamation recognizing National Library Week.
Polly Long, who works with Mount Airy City Schools and coordinates the Blue Bear Cafe, told commissioners the cafe is student-run, serves students with intellectual disabilities and has operated recently at the high school and library; she said more than 500 Mount Airy students have toured the library, gotten library cards and taken home books. "We are very, very appreciative for that," Long said.
Patty Brentel provided usage figures, saying the library had received 13,358 patrons so far this year and 16,965 items checked out, and she thanked the board for supporting library services.
Chair Bill Goins read a county proclamation declaring April 19 through April 25, 2026, as National Library Week, April 21 as National Library Workers' Day, and April 26 as National Librarian Day; the proclamation listed board members Bill Goins, Eddie Harris, Melissa Hyatt, Mark Marion and Pam Tucker. The board adopted the proclamation during the meeting.
Commissioners and staff thanked librarians and library partners for the programming and community engagement. The proclamation was adopted as an agenda item; no separate vote count was recorded beyond the chair's adoption announcement.
