By Stephen Smoot
At the second regularly scheduled October meeting of the Pendleton County Board of Education, Linda Hedrick, interim director of the Pendleton County Library, came to share an update and also introduce herself in the role.
Hedrick stated, “Thank you for inviting me.”
She then shared some on the current state of the library. She took over as full time interim director last summer. Former director, Walt Johnson, remains on staff part time.
Additionally, Hedrick noted that the collection, including books, DVDs, and other materials, totals about 32,000 items. She went on to say that they still had approximately 100 DVDs not yet processed.
During the summer, the library enjoyed high rates of participation in its summer programs. The six-week reading program saw an average of 65 students. Unlike a number of county libraries statewide, Hedrick stated that they fully supported the Energy Express program put on by West Virginia University Extension Service.
That program combined child nutrition with reading enrichment and other educational opportunities starting in June.
“In Pendleton County, we see it as collaboration, not competition,” she explained.
Enrichment programs for children and the community at large won’t end when the leaves drop from the trees. Hedrick stated that they will take part in the Main Street Trick or Treat as well.
Overall, Hedrick shared that she wishes to make the library feel more community-oriented. This starts with creating, as she put it, “curb appeal . . . to make it friendlier.” Beyond improving the aesthetics of the facility, Hedrick will also invite the community to assist with other choices.
Her vision lies in “what does the community want, not what does the library director want.” The emphasis will be on maintaining collections that appeal to children. Hedrick theorizes that many in the community who have, care for, or teach children will have a better handle on what appeals to them and will encourage more reading.
Hedrick also instructed each member of the limited staff to head up “a specialty area” to improve and maintain the library.
One of the main requests that she brought lay in exploring cooperation between the library and Pendleton County Schools, plus other institutions, such as churches, that serve educational needs. She warned that funding from different sources looked like it might decline and that cooperation could mitigate some of those losses.
Toward the close of her presentation, she shared a story that demonstrated how vital children find the library.
Hedrick described how a class of elementary school children had enjoyed a visit to the library. One of the boys in the class laid a penny on the counter as they left. Hedrick asked why he did that.
He replied, “That’s for being the best library ever.”
