A plan for an outdoor area at the Jones County Library that has been underway for close to two years is nearing completion in time to be enjoyed this summer.
Branch Manager Julie King said the idea was first discussed after County Administrator Jason Rizner announced at a meeting of the Library Board of Trustees that the library had $20,000 in Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax Funds.
That was in 2021, and after the meeting, she began researching options. King presented the idea of the Library Park to the board, and it was immediately approved.
She recalled that seeing so many people sitting in their cars in the library parking lot to use its internet helped formulate the idea.
The taking down of the fence between the library and the Newberry Law Office in December of 2022 by Jones County BSA Troop 485 was the first step in opening up the area for the project.
King said she looked at tables, benches and shade sails and was working on a plan for layout when Rizner offered to include the project in the county playground bids last fall.
The tables, benches and shade sails were installed May 25.
The manager said another exciting part of the project was the addition of metal sculptures donated by Mark Smith. He designed, created and installed the sculptures that included four pieces. The metal sculptures were installed in the Library Park June 28.
Smith recently retired from Jones County High School, where he was a teacher and welding instructor and has his own company, No 2 Alike.
King said the final phase of the park is raised beds. She said the Gray Garden Club received a $500 grant from the National Garden Club for the project and matched the funds. The manager said garden club members have been continually working at the library, most recently by creating a fairy garden.
She said the raised beds are expected to be installed this month.
Summer reading explosion
The official kickoff for the Summer Reading program was June 7 with a presentation by the Museum of Arts and Sciences. King said the Jones County Library has 940 readers signed up, and more are being added every day.
That is more than any other library in the Middle Georgia Regional Library district. The program started June 5 and ends July 29. King said signups will continue until the program is over.
The kickoff had 280 patrons in attendance, which is a record. The manager said the support of the Jones County School System in combining the school and library reading programs has no doubt helped in the increase of the numbers.
She also credits the library staff with the number of signups.
“My staff is amazing. They are so positive and support each other so well,” King said.
In addition to the reading program, she said 121 kids from 0-5 years old have been signed up for the Growing Greyhounds program that is also in partnership with JCSS. The participants receive books, T-shirts and other resources.
There is something for every age at the library this summer. The programs include Brunch Buddies for seniors once a month, Wiggleworms, a teen program that includes a total of 39 teens, the Masters program for students who have aged out of the Transition Academy at Jones County High School and a monthly adult book club.
King said they are averaging 150-200 patrons a day at the library, and the most recent Saturday had 92 patrons during the four hours it was open.
The manager said the library was getting a little lending library that will be located in the Library Park. She said Matthew Forrest, who is the director of the art department at Georgia College and State University, applied and received a grant for the lending library.
King said Forrest has been a wonderful supporter of the library. He presented a screen painting program for summer reading and assists the library with art supplies.
