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Experience Passes Through partnerships with organizations across the state, you can check out passes for free and reduced-cost entry to local museums, parks, theatres, and more. Museums Cherokee History Center Check Availability More Information The Breman Museum Check Availability More Information Atlanta History Center Check Availability More Information Michael C. Carlos Museum Check Availability More Information Macon Museums More Info On Georgia Sports Hall of Fame More Info On Tubman Museum More Info On Museum of Arts and Sciences Check Availability Computer Museum of America Check Availability More Information Nature Go Fish Center Pass Check Availability More Information Georgia State Parks & Historic Sites Check Availability More Information Chattahoochee Nature Center Check Availability More Information Zoo Atlanta DVD Check Availability More Information Arts Shakespeare Tavern Pass Check Availability More Information Alliance Theatre Check Availability More Information Woodstock Arts Pass Check Availability More Information Discounts Center for Puppetry Arts Receive 25% off a family show theatre performance Check Availability More Information Georgia Aquarium Receive a $5.00 discount More Information

Summer Discovery 2024 This summer, go on an adventure at your dynamic destination for discovery – the Sequoyah Regional Library System! Explore your local library in June and July to participate in awesome programs at no cost featuring That Puppet Guy, wild science experiments, adventure-fueled education programs for all ages (kids, teens, and adults), and much more! Check out our calendar to see all we have planned – you won’t want to miss a thing! HOW DOES IT WORK? Log your reading and complete fun activities to earn digital badges to win collectible trading cards and prizes all summer long with the free Beanstack app . Beanstack includes tools to help you and your family discover books, keep track of your reading, and set reading goals. Beanstack can be accessed by visiting our official SRLS webpage or downloading the app available for iOS and Android . Our Summer Discovery Challenge will begin June 1st and pre-registration opens on May 1st!​ JOIN THE SUMMER DISCOVERY READING CHALLENGE Register on Beanstack to join the Summer Discovery Challenge. Read adventure-themed titles and complete fun activities to earn Beanstack badges, trading cards, and tickets for end-of-summer prizes. Complete the entire BINGO board to earn your very own, rare Sequoyah Regional Library trading card! GETTING STARTED WITH BEANSTACK CHECK OUT THE SRLS LINKTREE CHECK OUT OUR SUMMER PROGRAMS SEE OUR SUMMER DISCOVERY PRIZE GUIDE JOIN THE SUMMER DISCOVERY CHALLENGE SEQUOYAH REGIONAL LIBRARY SYSTEM IS GOING FINE-FREE THIS SUMMER It’s now easier than ever to experience everything your public library has to offer. Sequoyah Regional Library System is going fine-free to celebrate Summer Discovery 2024. From June 1st through July 31st, items returned to the library will not have overdue fines! Some fines may be excluded. Ask library staff for details. Thank you to all of our Summer Discovery partners. This program would not have been possible without your help!

Click here to learn more EZ-STUDENT ACCESS Students can access physical and digital materials. Read More > E-LIBRARY Enjoy free digital and online library resources. Read More > LIBRARY OF THINGS Why buy When you can borrow? Read More > EXPERIENCE PASSES The Sequoyah Regional Library System is pleased to offer passes at no cost. Read More > Hickory Flat Public Library Construction Project GET INVOLVED Friends of the Library Teen Advisory Board Events Beanstack

Library of Things Why buy when you can borrow? The Library of Things is a collection of non-traditional library items that complement the Sequoyah Regional Library System ’s mission to connect people with ideas and opportunities to explore, learn and create. The purpose of the Library of Things is to provide diverse opportunities for learning and engagement. Abraham Lincoln Kit Abraham Lincoln Kit Assistive tool kit Assistive tool kit Blocks Rock Blocks Rock Board Games Board Games Book Club Bag Book Club Bag Chime Bars Chime Bars Chromebook Chromebook Cubelets Cubelets Early literacy kit : Alphabet Early literacy kit : Alphabet Early literacy kit : Counting Early literacy kit : Counting Early literacy kit : Letters Early literacy kit : Letters Energy Efficiency Kit Energy Efficiency Kit Musical Kit : Guiro Musical Kit : Guiro Kendama Kendama Laptop Tablet Laptop Tablet Launchpad Launchpad Little Bits Little Bits Makey Makey Makey Makey Math Flash Math Flash Musical Kit : Triangle Musical Kit : Triangle Musical Kit : Ukulele Musical Kit : Ukulele Observing pollinators Observing pollinators Parks discovery backpack Parks discovery backpack Picasso Tiles Picasso Tiles Puzzles Puzzles Q-Ba-Maze Q-Ba-Maze Wi-Fi HotSpot Radon Kits Wi-Fi HotSpot Raspberry Pi Starter Kits Sewing Machine Sewing Machine Snap-together blocks Snap-together blocks Spirograph® deluxe set Spirograph® deluxe set Wi-Fi HotSpot AWE Learning Tablet Wi-Fi HotSpot Wi-Fi HotSpot

Proctoring We offer proctoring services (for a fee) to learners and working professionals at all locations. To schedule an appointment, contact the location of your choice. SRLS is not responsible for mailed, faxed, or emailed exams not received by the college, institution or business. Proctoring Fee: $20.00 Per Test, payment due before testing, must be cash or card. SRLS Proctors agree to: Verify the student’s identity with a photo ID. Supervise the exam by having the student take the test in a study room or table near their desk. There might not be a private testing area available. Provide space for test-taking. However, there may not be a separate study room available. Sign paperwork and seal the envelope of the finished exam and call for it to be picked up. Staff will not deliver exams to the post office or Fedex/UPS store and are unable to provide letters or telephone calls to the school to confirm receipt. A reply to an exam received by email will serve as confirmation and receipt. SRLS proctors are not responsible for keeping copies of completed exams. Provide a computer to complete most online testing. SRLS accepts no responsibility for internet connections and outages that may occur. We cannot install any software on our computers. Tests must be completely web-based. The test taker agrees to: Verify the student’s identity with a photo ID. Supervise the exam by having the student take the test in a study room or table near their desk. There might not be a private testing area available. Provide space for test-taking. However, there may not be a separate study room available. Sign paperwork and seal the envelope of the finished exam and call for it to be picked up. Staff will not deliver exams to the post office or Fedex/UPS store and are unable to provide letters or telephone calls to the school to confirm receipt. A reply to an exam received by email will serve as confirmation and receipt. SRLS proctors are not responsible for keeping copies of completed exams. Provide a computer to complete most online testing. SRLS accepts no responsibility for internet connections and outages that may occur. We cannot install any software on our computers. Tests must be completely web-based.

Support Your Library Community support allows us to thrive. Here are ways you can help. Material Donations SRLS accepts material donations, up to 10 items, based on the following guidelines: Books (hardcover, paperback, trade, board, large print) published 2020 or later Audiobooks published 2020 or later DVDs and Blu-rays (no date limit) Games/Puzzles High demand/popular/best selling series and authors (any publication date) Examples: Diary of a Wimpy Kid Dork Diaries Agatha Raisin mysteries Debbie Macomber We do not accept the following: Magazines VHS tapes Audio Cassettes Encyclopedias Textbooks Any item in poor condition or that has writing, personal inscriptions, strong odors, or stains. Patrons wishing to donate more than 10 items and up to 5 boxes or items that do not meet donation guidelines have the following options: The Better World Books drop box in the R.T. Jones parking lot. The Woodstock Public Library, Pickens County Library, and Gilmer County Library will accept large donations on Tuesdays or Thursdays, 11am-5pm. Financial Gifts Financial gifts support our collection, programs and other library services. By making a gift, your money will be used for the greatest need of SRLS, unless otherwise directed. Financial gifts can be made online, via mail or in-person. To gift via mail or in person, please complete the Financial Donation Form (upload form) and mail or drop it off donation to one of our locations. Financial Donation Form Kroger Rewards Information Questions? Kroger Community Rewards Any transactions using the Shopper’s Card number associated with your digital account will be applied to the program, at no added cost to you. Kroger donates annually to participating organizations based on your percentage of spending as it relates to the total spending associated with all participating Kroger Community Rewards organizations. The program is simple. If you shop at Kroger, you probably have a Kroger Plus card. When you register your Kroger Plus Card online, you can then select Sequoyah Regional Library as the organization of your choice. The SRLS Community rewards Account number is MW313. Partners Partnerships are a pathway for the Sequoyah Regional Library System to further support our Mission, Vision, and Values through a mutually beneficial relationship with longevity in mind. SRLS Partnerships can look like creating avenues for collaborating on public services, programming, cross-promoting, sharing resources, etc. The terms are generated by involved parties to ensure that they are mutually beneficial with shared responsibilities, purposeful, and sustainable for years to come. Interested in becoming a library partner? Reach out to us via our Contact Us page. Friends Of The Library Anchor FOL Each of our counties has a Friends group in operation. These groups are made up of volunteers who organize themselves independently to support our libraries. What does a Friends group do? Advocate for the libraries and library services, spreading the word about libraries and lifelong learning. Raise and contribute funds for supplemental books, materials, equipment and library programs. Volunteer to help with special library events, collaborative community efforts and reading programs for children and adults. Promote the use of the library, reading and literacy programs by all members of the community ​ Join Friends of the Library today and help support your library! Click the links below to learn more about each of our Friends group and become a member. Friends of the Cherokee County Public Libraries Friends of Pickens Library Friends of the Gilmer County Library Friends is a 501(c)(3) organization, your contribution is tax deductible to the full extent allowed by law.

< Back HICKORY FLAT PUBLIC LIBRARY ON SCHEDULE TO BE COMPLETED IN LATE SUMMER Sequoyah Regional Library System has announced that construction of the Hickory Flat Public Library Renovation and Expansion project, which broke ground in January of 2023, is currently scheduled to be completed in late July of 2024. The majority of construction on the building has been completed. The next phase of the project consists of shelving installation, furniture installation, collection reshelving, equipment and technology installation, as well as staff placement and training. This phase is expected to take up to 12 weeks to complete. Updates to the design of the Hickory Flat Public Library include three conference rooms, a larger community room with updated technology, an outdoor courtyard with an exciting play design for children, and a unique roof with elevated roof stacks. “Our architect got creative, working within the confines of the existing roof line and revolving roof conditions, without adding additional unnecessary cost to the budget,” says Angela Cortellino, Executive Director of SRLS. “The entire building was painted to update the appearance and match the overall aesthetic of the renovated space, which includes existing exterior brick.” The design also reflects a building meant for community use. “In addition to the conference rooms and community room, this design features a space we are calling ‘the third space.’ It is a space someone can work in, meet others in, or just casually gather,” added Cortellino. The third space design at the Hickory Flat Library features multiple access points to power, flexible furniture, unique seating, and even access to a kitchenette. “We want the community to feel like this is where they can come and spend time, and accomplish what is important to them.” With an expanded and renovated library facility, the community will have more space for books and technology; larger areas for programs, meetings, collaboration, and creation; and additional seating for study and quiet reading. The project includes a renovation of the Hickory Flat Public Library building, originally built in 1993. The library’s original 10,000 sq. ft. will be expanded and 7,800 sq. ft. will be added. Designed by CAS Architecture, the Hickory Flat Library Renovation and Expansion construction is being completed by Hollandsworth Construction. Please continue to visit SequoyahRegionalLibrary.org/hickory-flat-project for updates and announcements about this project. Previous Next

< Back HICKORY FLAT PUBLIC LIBRARY UPDATE Feb 1, 2024 Sequoyah Regional Library System has announced that construction of the Hickory Flat Public Library Renovation and Expansion project, which broke ground in January of 2023, is currently scheduled to be completed in late summer/early fall of 2024. Weather concerns and material delays with steel have prevented progress on the metal roof of the building. These delays have added a few more months to wait for completion. “We have had a few delays,” shares Angela Cortellino, Executive Director of SRLS. “We are looking at just a few extra months before we will be able to open this fantastic facility. I know once we open our doors, everyone will be excited and ready to celebrate with us.” Once construction is complete, there will be several weeks installing shelving, furniture, and technology, as well as moving in the collection. Designed by CAS Architecture, the Hickory Flat Library Renovation and Expansion construction is being completed by Hollandsworth Construction. The finished renovation will include an addition of 7,800 square feet to the building. With an expanded and renovated library facility, the SRLS community will have more space for books and technology; larger areas for programs, meetings, collaboration, and creation; and additional seating for study and quiet reading. The Hickory Flat Public Library building will be closed to the public for the entirety of the construction. During the construction, community members can still access SRLS programs and services by visiting any of the neighboring libraries in Cherokee, Pickens, and Gilmer counties. Previous Next

About Your Library History of SRLS In September of 1922, the Canton Woman’s Club put forth the initial plans for a public library in Canton. In 1923, this dedicated group gave a collection of books which established Canton’s first public library. The collection was housed in rent-free space behind Higgins Jewelry Store on Main Street; it was presided over by the late Miss Malinda Roberts who volunteered to keep it open two days a week. In 1957, the R. T. Jones Foundation bought the old McAfee home on Main Street to house the library. The Foundation also provided the $25,000 needed to remodel the home for library use. At this time, the library became qualified for State aid which enabled the library to expand its collection. The State also loaned the library a bookmobile in 1957 until the library purchased its own in 1958. The Pickens County Library had its birth in 1932. It was then that a group of 4-H girls and Home Demonstration Clubs expressed a desire for something to read. Their little spark of interest was fanned into a flame by a Home Demonstration Agent, Henrietta White Darnell, who thought that it was better to “light a candle than to curse the darkness.” In the beginning she borrowed fifty books at a time from the Georgia State Library Commission and checked them out to her club members. As the books were read, they were returned and fifty more were obtained. While the present courthouse was under construction, the County Library was housed in the Pickens County High School (now Jasper Elementary). This situation existed until the new courthouse was finished in 1949. At that time, the library was given a small room in the basement of the newly constructed courthouse. At this time a Board of Trustees was formed to set operational procedures, policies, and so forth. The library was fortunate to have had a dedicated group to give of their time and ability in getting the library off to a sound start. Those persons serving as charter members of the Pickens County Library Board were: Ruth Adams, Marjorie Floyd Butchart, and Henrietta Darnell. As community interest grew, it was only natural that more people would become involved in the growth of the library. The city of Jasper started contributing to the salary of the librarian while Sherman Gartrell was mayor, and the city still continues this practice. In 1958, the Pickens County Library became affiliated with the Sequoyah Regional Library. The Gilmer County Library was founded on June 26, 1940, and opened to the public on July 1, 1940. The library began in a small room inside the Gilmer County Courthouse. Started as a federal W.P.A. project, the library also had some local support which included J & C Bedspread Company, the City of Ellijay, and the Ellijay Women’s Club. There were 200 books on the opening date. This number grew to 342 during the first year, and by the end of 1941 totaled 913 books. The first library board consisted of Mrs. E. T. Hudson, Chairman; Mrs. R. W. Smith, Co-Chairman; Mayor Willard Holden; L. N. Foster, School Superintendent; C. F. Owen, Editor; Mrs. Joe McCutchen, J & C Bedspread Company representative. The Gilmer County Board of Education and the Library Board of Trustees began to share responsibility and expenses in an effort to strengthen library services in the county. In 1948, the Library Board adopted a constitution and by-laws, establishing a consistency for the board. During the summer of 1956 the library moved into the building, which was located behind the old Ellijay Elementary School gymnasium and which also housed the old cannery (across from the present location of the First United Methodist Church). The new location gave more space and better lighting, and at the same time gave the public better access to the facility. It continued to serve as both a public and elementary school library until the current library building was constructed in 1977 and the two collections were separated. In 1957 a committee was appointed to contact Pickens and Cherokee counties with the idea of joining their regional library. The committee’s report was favorable if finances could be worked out. At that time, the library was funded by the combination of State and County matching funds based on the number of students, money from the State Library Commission, and miscellaneous local donations. In 1959, plans were worked out to join the regional system with Cherokee and Pickens counties. Commissioner Harold Hefner and Superintendent Everett Weeks agreed to increase their offices’ contributions, which made it possible for the library to join the regional library. In 1961, the Cherokee-Pickens-Gilmer Regional Library adopted the name “Sequoyah Regional Library.” On March 25, 1957, a contract was signed with Pickens County to form the Cherokee-Pickens Regional Library (1958). This union upgraded our local library, because it put us under the guidance of a regional director and made many services available to the county, including a bookmobile. Gilmer County became part of the system in 1959 forming the Cherokee-Pickens-Gilmer Regional Library. The system’s name became Sequoyah Regional Library on July 1, 1961. R. T. Jones Library at 400 East Main Street was feeling the effects of the increase in population. The 8,000 square foot building was no longer sufficient. Mr. Denney began the search for a site to locate a new facility and on July 20, 1989 a transaction was completed that would provide three acres for a new 30,000 square foot building. The county purchased the building on Main Street and this made the site on Highway 20 near I575 available. Groundbreaking was held March 8, 1990 and construction began. After packing books, furniture, memories, and many trips between the two buildings, books were on shelves once again, offices in order, and circulation desk was ready for patrons. On May 1, 1991 the building was ready for the public and the public was ready for their new library! Dedication of the R. T. Jones Memorial Library, 116 Brown Industrial Parkway, was held June 12, 1991 at eleven o’clock. Chairman W. W. Denney gave a warm welcome to all of the special and honored guests. Senator Bill Hasty introduced the Speaker, Lt. Governor Pierre Howard. In 2000, the Sequoyah Regional Library System greeted the new millennium with a vision for continual growth and prosperity. The explosion in the quantity of digital resources that have become available on the World Wide Web has impacted libraries in unprecedented ways. The library has strived to provide new resources and programs to keep up with the community’s demand for more services.

About Your Library Administration Team Angela Cortellino Executive Director angela@seqlib.org Paula Hagen Administrative Assistant phagen@seqlib.org Kara Rumble Deputy Director rumblek@seqlib.org Julie Wise Finance Manager wisej@seqlib.org Donna Ferguson Information Technology Director fergusod@seqlib.org Joan Osborne Collection Services Director osbornej@seqlib.org Rebecca Camp Patron Experience Manager campr@seqlib.org John Rodgers Operations Manager rodgersj@seqlib.org Sarah Childers Marketing Manager childerss@seqlib.org Marley Trahan Programming Manager Trahanm@seqlib.org Lisa Mosley Outreach Manager mosleyl@seqlib.org Policies Policies Anchor Privacy and Disclosures View Policy Internet use View Policy Parent & Teachers View Policy Public Service View Policy Collection View Policy

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Strategic Plan Goal 1: Increase our outreach efforts to link the library and the community it serves, by forming strong connections with organizations and increasing visibility at local activities. Strategies: Establish the position of an Outreach Manager. Identify opportunities for exposure of library resources and services through outreach activities. Increase off-site programming. Maximize and increase outreach tools. Goal 2: Reach community members who do not use the library and increase library card holders in our service population. Strategies: Increase external marketing efforts, identifying new ways to reach non-card holders. Identify services which appeal to non-card holders. Increase library card holders to 40% of our service population. Goal 3: Establish the library as a community gathering place for all community members. Strategies: Invite entities to join us in our spaces through programming and partnership. Streamline the process for outside entities to utilize library space. Create library spaces that invite and encourage collaboration and gathering. Goal 4: Leverage library stories. Strategies: Refine patron library story feedback process to provide more useful information that can be used in marketing. Highlight user stories to stakeholders and the community in creative and impactful ways. Work with public-facing staff to evaluate strategies to gather impactful patron stories. Goal 5: Align the Library’s efforts with the ongoing growth and progress of our community. Strategies: Develop tools to gather feedback from the community. Work with professionals to identify growth and potential. Establish a personnel plan that supports the dynamic community growth. Establish a long term plan, forecasting at least 10 years. Goal 6: Foster active and open communications with local leaders. Strategies: Improve relationships with local funding agencies. Maintain an awareness of city and county efforts and programs through establishing regular communication. Actively look to identify ways in which the Library could play a role in promoting or facilitating city and county efforts and programs. Invite local officials to library events and programming. Please open the Strategic Plan PDF file below if you wish to print it. Strategic Plan PDF