Library and Archives Year In Review

The Lewis County Public Library and Archives experienced a year of improvements, growth, as well as a few surprises. Like Lewis and Clark, we proceeded on. Serving our neighbors has been and will continue to be a privilege and a pleasure. We are grateful for every person who has become part of the library community. Now that 2022 has entered the history books, here’s a look back through some of our library and archives’s milestones and accomplishments over the year.

Programming Highlights

Once again, we had outstanding programming for all members of our community. From the weekly preschool storytime to the Summer Reading Program, area residents regularly have the opportunity to engage with the library.

Almost weekly, library staff present programs for children from birth through high school. Preschool Storytime, Tween Book Club, and Movie Mates & Book Buds introduce young people to a variety of literature in a fun and interactive way. Special seasonal events have been held, much to the delight of children and parents alike.

In addition to programming taking place within the library, our staff supports local literacy with monthly programming at Head Start, Lewis County Schools, and Lomax Day School. During December alone, library staff visited schools and daycares 12 times with pre-third grade literacy programming that enriched academics for 412 children.

The library supports other community activities throughout the year. It is always a fun surprise for residents when library staff show up in costumes or set up activity booths at events. In August, the library was selected to participate in the United States Postal Service’s ‘Elephants’ Forever Stamp Dedication Ceremony which was held at the Elephant Sanctuary in August. Library Director Crystal Nash spoke at the ceremony about inspiring young minds and the library’s educational partnership with the Elephant Sanctuary.

A highlight of our year is the Summer Reading Program held in June and July. This year, participants in our Summer Reading Program read a total of 54,690 minutes! Over 241 residents participated in more than 30 STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics) activities designed to engage young minds and prevent the “summer slide”. These activities included a registration party/splash day, a Pete the Cat storybook walk, and educational presentations by Animology, the Elephant Sanctuary, and the Natchez Trace Parkway. In partnership with the City of Hohenwald, our 4th annual Summer Concert with the Cleverlys was also a tremendous success!

The number of registered participants in our Summer Reading Program increased by 125% in 2022, and we saw an increase in the number of minutes read (logged by participants) of 6,084 minutes, from 48,416 to 54,690!

Children went on a ghost hunt at the library during the month of October. Eleven spooky little ghosts were hidden throughout the building, and candy was given to everyone who located them. We ended the month with a Not So Spooky Storytime.

Adult programming is an important part of our library as well. Back by popular request, our Computer Class for Seniors resumed in November! Other adult programming included the library partnering with the Daughters of the American Revolution to celebrate Constitution Week (September 17-23). A display about the Constitution was set up, free pocket-sized Constitutions were given out to patrons, and a Constitution-themed story time was held. Jessica Mercer was the winner of this year’s Cookie Swap which was held in December.

Technology Services

The library makes technology available to everyone! Free internet connectivity within and in the vicinity of the library allows anyone with a Wi-Fi enabled device to connect for free and access virtually unlimited information. Inside the library, public access and youth learning computers are available for public use. For those who prefer, mobile hotspots and Chromebooks are available for checkout. To help our community stay connected, the library has upgraded routers and internet equipment thanks to an ARPA grant through the Tennessee State Library and Archives.

In May, the library launched a new website! Visit http://www.lewislibrary.com for more information about the library and our services. Residents can also access historical materials and student research sources through the library website.

Because 14.7% of Lewis County residents under the age of 65 have a disability, the library applied for grant funds to help make the library more accessible. In May, an accessible computer workstation was installed. The table raises to accommodate wheelchairs, and the workstation also includes a choice of a large print (white text on black keys) or low vision keyboard (black text on yellow keys), and an optical trackball mouse.

A Lewis County Library card continues to provide access to the digital collection where over 19,000 items were borrowed through the Overdrive / Libby app during the past year.

Archives, Local History, & Genealogy

Being able to preserve the county’s historical documents and records is an important function of our library. The library currently houses tens of thousands of archived items including: early county and circuit court records, school yearbooks, and historical photographs. Almost 1,000 archived items were accessed by researchers using our special collections during the past year!

In February, a high density shelving system was installed in the archives through funds received from a TSLA Archive Development Program grant. In March, the library installed a new microfilm scanner for researchers wanting to access old newspapers and county/city records. Images can be printed or scanned to a USB drive. Accompanying software allows researchers to clip an article from a microfilmed newspaper or enhance article images.

Facility & Equipment Improvements and Upgrades

To improve and maintain the library’s usable space, two major upgrades have taken place. Thanks to the wisdom and generosity of the Lewis County Commission, the library received $100,000 in funding to be used towards Phase One construction of the library expansion which will upgrade our facilities. In September, all library lighting was upgraded to LED, improving visibility and reducing electricity usage. Additionally, the Lewis County Commission provided funding to replace the HVAC unit at the library. Neither of these improvements would have been possible without the support of our County Commissioners.

Outside the library, a variety of improvements have been made to both the building and grounds. In April, Tye Stevens completed an Eagle Scout Project at the library. Stevens constructed a brick patio and made landscaping improvements around an existing bench near the front entrance. We are extremely proud of Tye and his accomplishment, and we hope the community enjoys using this renovated space. The purchase and installation of a new sign on the south exterior wall makes our library easier to find! Van accessible parking was improved in November when the library parking lot was re-striped, and an access aisle was created. Also in November, the installation of a solar charging bench for community use was completed near the library entrance.

Community Partnerships

Lewis County Public Library and Archives is honored to partner with several local organizations and individuals. These partnerships help facilitate programming for our community. Our thanks go to the City of Hohenwald, Daughters of the American Revolution, Eagle Scouts - Tye Stevens, the Elephant Sanctuary, Elks Lodge, Friends of the Library, Head Start, Hope Hohenwald, Lewis County Government, Lewis County Historical Society, Lewis County Schools, Lomax Day School, National Park Service at Meriwether Lewis Visitor Center, Pilot Club of Hohenwald, South Central Area Fair Board, Tennessee Farm Bureau - Lewis County, UT Extension - Lewis County, and Vincent Valetutti. Additionally, we are grateful for the many local businesses who supported the library’s Summer Reading Program scavenger hunt. We are more successful thanks to all of these great community partners!

Staff News and Notes

All members of the library staff were trained and certified under the Core Competencies program created and offered by the Tennessee State Library and Archives in 2022. Lewis County was SECOND in the state in completion of this training! Multiple staff members also hold additional certifications from the State Library and Archives and other educational institutions that not only improves library programs and services, but also enhances the user experience when visiting the library and make better use of the wide variety of library resources available.

In Conclusion

Improvement and growth were two key themes for 2022 at the Lewis County Public Library and Archives. From facility upgrades and the return of popular programs, to the updating of technology, the library and archives has continually improved to match the changing needs of our community. Here’s to greeting 2023 with arms open to all the opportunities for greater improvement and even more growth for our library and our community. We look forward to helping you learn, accomplish, and be inspired in the new year.