May 25, 2011
Carol Beddingfield
Executive Director

Chamber Chatter


Budget shortfalls have caused many hardships for the DeKalb County Public Library. The library is now closed each Wednesday. The Book Mobile no longer serves the communities in DeKalb County.

According to Elizabeth Tucker, librarian, state budget cuts have created the loss in many of the library services. A library this size usually operates with 8 full time staff. There are 3 full time and one part time positions.

Average visits are around 53,000. The over 80,000 printed materials as well as computer access are valuable to all ages.

The Board of the Mary C. Weatherly Memorial Foundation is seeking the public’s help in solving the budget crisis. A fund raising effort will begin the first of June.

The Foundation has made improvements to the facility. New carpet and the remodeling of the lobby and bathrooms are examples.

The Summer Reading Program, which attracts scores of kids and challenges them to read, is also funded by the Foundation. The cost is $3500 per year.

The Foundation is giving everyone the opportunity to make a tax deductible donation for the benefit of the library.

When you become a Friend of the Library, you also help improve our area’s quality of life. The library is one of the factors that business and industry leaders consider in locating here.

Your gift will not only improve the education of all of our citizens but it will also help in the creation of a more stable financial future.

Call Elizabeth Tucker, 256-845-2671, to volunteer or to become a Friend of the Library.