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Library director reports new grants, rising program attendance and summer plans
Summary
Director Morgan Olson reported a $5,000 RISE Erwin grant, an East Tennessee Foundation contribution, a Storybook Trail award and an application to Dollar General’s summer reading grant; trustees heard attendance figures for recent programs and plans for summer programming and staff training.
Morgan Olson, director of the Unicoi County Public Library, told trustees on March 27 that the library has recently received several grants and is pursuing additional funding and programming expansions.
Olson reported a $5,000 award from RISE Erwin to assist with Helene recovery efforts and a Storybook Trail Plot Twist grant that will fund updating the trail to the story "When the Storm Comes." The East Tennessee Foundation sent an additional $1,000 this year on top of $10,000 previously provided; Olson said she has applied to the Dollar General Summer Reading Grant (up to $3,000) and expects notification in May.
Fundraising for the library building’s 100th anniversary is under way: about 35 shirts have sold at $15–$20 each; commemorative bricks cost $100 and yield approximately $82 net to the library per sale. Olson described recent program attendance: Take Your Child to the Library Day drew 22 people; a Mad Hatter Tea Party drew 46; homeschool programs had 33 and 81 attendees at two sessions; teen programming averages about 13 participants; adult programs continue, including a new cookbook club.
Olson highlighted upcoming activities: an Everyday Herbs class on March 29, a closure for Good Friday on April 18, and staff training on April 25 covering the interlibrary loan system, de-escalation for difficult situations, and CHIPS-related information. She also announced the summer-reading theme, "Color Our World," and said staff are planning art-focused programs for all ages.
Regional context: Jennifer Breuer, director of the Holston River Regional Library, briefed trustees on regional training opportunities including an online Trustee Orientation (April 10), a youth services summit (March 31) and a leadership development session April 24 featuring Catherine M. Rymsha. Breuer also reported that Assistant Director Selena Harmon has left for a position at JCPL and the region will seek a replacement.
What to watch: grant decisions expected in May and staffing changes at the regional level that may affect local services and shared resources.
