BY ROGER SMITH
MOUNTAIN CITIZEN
Martin County — The Martin County Public Library is expanding its outreach services with a mobile library initiative. The program is set to launch this month at Dempsey Housing, providing free books for children to promote literacy and access to library resources.
“We’ve done a substantial job of bringing the community to us,” MCPL board chairman Donnie Osborn announced during a library board meeting June 24. “Now, we need to focus more on getting out to the community.”
Though the library no longer has a traditional bookmobile, the updated approach will allow MCPL to conduct various outreach activities. Osborn said the aim is to organize an event every quarter, increasing frequency as time progresses.
In a technologically driven age, mobile libraries can function as mini-branch libraries and provide access to e-books, audiobooks, digital resources and online library services.
“We’re going to look at the logistics of doing checkouts with DVDs, books and collections and having interactive children’s programming,” Osborn said after the meeting.
“We feel the need is there. The services are needed throughout the county. We hope to find safe places to build on, then move to other communities.”
Internet service will largely determine where the outreach service can go. However, Osborn said everyone, child or adult, is welcome to the Dempsey event and “anything the library does.”
“For people who can’t make it to us, we’ll come to them,” he said. “If anyone has a location that they would love to have this, call us and we will work on scheduling the next one.”
Watch for announcements about the upcoming inaugural Dempsey event, including the date and details.
In other library news, Osborn announced that Tressa Brown, a coordinator with the Kentucky Heritage Council’s Kentucky Native American Heritage Commission, will present at the library in Inez at 6 p.m. July 25. Brown’s discussion will encompass a variety of topics, including dispelling myths about native people, discussing Kentucky’s native heritage, and reviewing its history.
During the board of directors meeting, members agreed to surplus and donate princess costumes currently on loan to the Martin County High School cheerleaders. These costumes will be passed on to Martin County Tourism. According to Osborn, Martin County Deputy Judge Carolea Mills has agreed to find appropriate storage for them.
Board member Willa Preston asked Osborn to clarify the library does not intend to donate all of its costumes.
“We don’t want to surplus everything,” Preston said.
Osborn confirmed the donation includes only the costumes currently on loan.
The board approved a budget of $753,978 for the fiscal year 2024.
Martin County Public Library’s central location is at the Collier Center, 387 E. Main Street in Inez. The Rufus M. Reed Branch is at 1442 Riverfront Road in Lovely.