By: Lydia Crawley
The Parsons Advocate
Nancy Moore who represented Five Rivers Public Library addressed the Tucker County Commission March 13th. Moore was accompanied at the meeting by Debbie Williams who represented Mountain Top Public Library. The two women addressed the Commissioners on the needs of the County’s libraries. “Libraries are a vital part to all the County,” Moore said. “Communities down here, Thomas, Davis, beyond the County lines.”
Moore said many of the services of the libraries are free and include fax, copies, tax forms, The Parsons Advocate available in a variety of formats, genealogy research, internet access, wifi, book clubs, movie days, databases, and job search services. “Other services, there are lots of databases that’s free,” Moore said. “That’s through the county, through the high school and provided by the Library Commission in Charleston.”
Moore said the County libraries also assist job seekers with such things as resume and job searches, as well as DMV searches. “Other services are resume, cover letters, job searches, online access to employment services, DMV online services, which is becoming more and more,” Moore said. “People come in and we help them.”
Moore made a budget increase request to the Commission. In it, Moore requested an increase funding from the County. In the request, the County Commission’s funding would increase from $12,000 this year to $13,000 in the coming fiscal year, a $1,000 increase. “We appreciate your commitment and support,” Moore said. “When preparing your County budget, we hope that you will consider an increase in Five Rivers Public Library’s funding for our next fiscal year.”
The Tucker County Commission approved the funding increase to Five Rivers Public Library for a total allocation of $13,000 and a funding request for the Mountaintop Public Library in Thomas for $14,500. “
Williams updated the Commission on the programs and progress of the Mountaintop Public Library in Thomas. Williams said her library has been expanding the programs offered with a total of four book clubs, sewing and knitting groups and programs for all ages, including seniors. Williams also said the Library’s summer reading program is growing.
Williams also gave an update on the efforts to fund and construct a new library on the mountain. According to Williams, the efforts are ¾ of the way to fulfillment. Upcoming fundraiser events include a yard sale on July 20th, a garden party in August and a You Love Your Library Dinner.
Tucker County Commission President Mike Rosenau said he has experienced the resources of the Libraries first hand. Rosenau said he was researching an event he experienced in the 1990’s and was advised by his wife to go to the Library to research. Rosenau said the staff assisted in his search and he was able to find what he was looking for, even going back to the 90’s, through the Parsons Advocate collection and other records found at the Library. “They had the Advocate, they had everything. So, I experienced it firsthand what a blessing it is to have you guys as a resource I could go to,” Rosenau said. “I wouldn’t have gotten that information I wanted unless it was with you all.”
Rosenau also commented on the need for wifi in the County and how the Library is helping to assist in filling the need. “A lot of people in the County don’t have wifi yet, so if you live down in the country and outside of an area, we’re blessed to have a Library that has wifi free as a service to the community,” Rosenau said. “I’ve seen people outside of the Library on the weekends sitting there in the grass, sitting there in their car, or whatever to access the wifi.”
The next meeting of the Tucker County Commission will be held Wednesday, March 27th at 4 p.m. at the Tucker County Courthouse Old Courtroom in Parsons.
