By By Sheila Blackmon/The Meridian Star
March 4, 2001
HICKORY Efforts are under way to increase the size and use of the Hickory Public Library.
For years, the library was located on the bottom floor of the Masonic Lodge on Front Street. But about a month ago, it was moved to the Hickory Town Hall.
She said there are plans probably two or three years away to relocate the Town Hall offices to a town-owned building that was once part of the old Hickory school. Then, the library will be expanded to take the space in the current town hall.
Hurst has been working to get the library back in order. She said the library run by different volunteers who didn't always keep accurate records has not been organized in about four years.
The National Library Association requires that public libraries keep records. The town of Hickory had been paying the fees, but no one had taken an interest in being in charge of the library, Hurst said.
She said paperwork is important since it affects funding for the Kemper-Newton Regional Library in Union. The regional library dispenses funds to its satellite branches, with Hickory being one of them.
During the move into the Town Hall, Hurst said Hickory Mayor Wayne Griffith asked her to take over the duties on a volunteer basis.
She wants to try to do a spring and summer reading program, and has had one person volunteer to do story-telling sessions one Saturday a month.
She said the library is funded by the regional system, but hasn't received much lately because of a lack of activity.
She is considering selling some of the older books, both for extra funding and to make room for newer children's books.
Library hours are Mondays and Wednesdays from 2 to 5 p.m. Hurst said anyone wanting to make donations can mail them to P.O. Box 10, Hickory, MS 39332. Anyone wanting to make book or supply donations can come by the library, located at 180 Jefferson St., or call 646-2211.
Sheila Blackmon is a staff writer for The Meridian Star. E-mail her at sblackmon@themeridianstar.com.