Blake Smith /Jefferson Jimplecute
Built in 1907, the Jefferson Carnegie Library has not only planted roots in the town, but it has managed to provide a number of services to citizens young and old. This Victorian-style structure stands in the heart of Marion County and has continued to grow with the city and its citizens for over 100 years now.
The Jefferson Carnegie Library has several resources available for its patrons. Aside from being able to check out books, patrons also have unlimited access to movies, audiobooks and eBooks. For those that prefer to enjoy their books on-the-go, the library now offers an app called SimplyE where patrons can have access to over 5,000 books.
Since it opened its doors in 1907, the grand structure has seen several renovations including the reconstruction of the roof, a fresh paint job on both the interior and exterior parts of the building as well as a refinished hardwood floors throughout the structure. In addition to these renovations, the library has seen changes to its original columns as well as the landscaping surrounding the building.
Even though the building has seen its fair share of renovations, it has managed to maintain its beauty as well as its traditions. The building is not the only thing that has been updated within the past few years. Recently, it has seen a change in staff as well.
After being forced to close the library during the COVID-19 pandemic, the library has made various changes to its staff. There are currently two full-time employees that seek to ensure that the library is open and available for patrons. Peter Kuchta serves as the Library Director while Heather Dews serves as the library receptionist.
Although a fraction of the other members of the library staff are volunteers, some jobs go beyond what volunteers can do.
Sandra Spencer serves part-time as the youth services coordinator. In her role, Spencer finds herself reaching out to the community and schools in order to get programs set up for children in the community. In addition to her outreach efforts, Spencer also spends her time reading to younger children on school mornings, hosting events like Breakfast with Rudolph during Christmas and hosting eight-week summer reading programs.
Her job not only strengthens the community, but it shapes young minds as well.
The Carnegie Library would be nowhere without the community. Volunteers like Stacey Mills, the library board president, work tirelessly to ensure that the library funds are properly allocated in order to further the library’s expansion and outreach.
“We are all volunteers. I was an educator for many years and when I moved here [Jefferson] six years ago, I knew I wanted to be a part of the library. It is very gratifying to be a part of such a historic building,” Mills said. “There is so much history and the fact that it has kept its doors open after all this time is beautiful. It takes a lot of people to keep historic buildings open and although there are employees, it takes a lot of volunteers as well.”
Since libraries are non-profit organizations, they heavily rely on donations in order to offer such a wide range of services. For the Jefferson Carnegie Library, that funding comes from a program called the Friends of the Library.
This organization allows members of the community the opportunity to give back to the library via donations and paid memberships. In addition, the library hosts events like the annual golf tournament and the Fourth of July Cake and Pie Auction. Friends of the Library board members spend their time fundraising year-round in order to help the library grow one book at a time.
What sets the Jefferson Carnegie Library aside from others is its heart. The structure, although dated, has remained a staple in the community due to the tireless work of volunteers like Mills, Stanberry and many more.
The library continues to grow not only in Jefferson but in the hearts of everyone that enters through its doors.