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Jackson-Madison County Public Library highlights summer programs, workforce training and preliminary expansion plans
Summary
Library director Donna Harris and teen librarian Jessica Carter outlined summer programming for all ages, an online workforce-development course with partner interviews after completion, high monthly attendance figures, and a schematic for a proposed library expansion that will need community fundraising.
Donna Harris, director of the Jackson-Madison County Public Library, and teen librarian Jessica Carter described an extensive slate of free summer programs for children, teens and adults and said the system is seeing heavy seasonal attendance.
"There is literally something for everybody," Jessica Carter said of the summer reading schedule and events; Harris added the library records about 16,000 documented entrances across the two branches in a month. The system has posted daily event signboards at building entrances and provides a program guide on its website and app.
The library also participates in a workforce-development initiative run through the state library and local partners. Harris said the program includes about 16 hours of online courses with a facilitator; completing the training guarantees an interview with a partner employer if the candidate meets job qualifications. Partners mentioned on-air include West Tennessee Healthcare, Tyson, AutoZone and local printing and distribution employers.
Harris said the city and county have paid for a schematic design for a library expansion and that staff are beginning community outreach to secure funding. "We know it's going to take a little money and we know the money's not there right now," she said, and added that she will meet with community groups and potential donors to discuss naming and fundraising opportunities.
For more information on program schedules and workforce training, library officials directed listeners to the library website and the library app.
