Weakley Co. Library Receives $2,000 grant

Our goal is to bring in more children and parents in the community and embed in them an appreciation for the library and for the joy of reading.”

Weakley County Library Director Candy McAdams

History of Ned Ray McWherter Weakley County Library, 1946-2002:

The Ned R. McWherter Weakley County Library opened in a rented room in the basement of Bowers Hotel on the main square in Dresden on April 9, 1946. Quarters were shared with the Red Cross. When the new courthouse was completed in 1950 both the library and the Red Cross were moved to a third floor room. Financial support was low-for many years $1,462 annually - and the location inaccessible. Circulation stayed around 3,000-4,000 annually for a number of years.

In June 1963, the Library was moved to a rented business building on the ground level. A larger county appropriation and the first city appropriation made this possible. In the new location circulation increased by 2,000 during the first year. The new quarters were attractive but small, and were outgrown almost immediately.

Weakley County was voted a two-year demonstration project by the Regional Board beginning July 1, 1964, which resulted in fast expansion and growth for all libraries of the county. Regional funds were used to pay librarians and buy books, and county funds were released to buy furniture and equipment and more books. The county board searched for a larger building, and finally a new building was constructed by a local citizen especially for renting to the Library. Library hours were increased from twenty per week to thirty-eight, including one evening, after the Library opened in the new building in February 1965.

The Library expanded to include a small concrete block building located behind the Library in 1993. This building was the Story Book House and was used for story times and summer reading programs.

Former Tennessee Governor Ned R. McWherter originated the idea for a new library facility to be located next door to his home on Linden Street in 1997. He provided funding for the purchase of the land and construction of the building. County commissioners helped obtain grants to help pay for the furnishings needed in the modern library. The Ned R. McWherter Weakley County Library was opened on December 1, 1997. On November 19, 1999 the Ned R. McWherter room was dedicated and the library held its Grand Opening.

Some early librarians were Mrs. Lillian Ross, Mrs. Beulah Hamlin, Mrs. Hobson Mayo, Mrs. Rupelle Speight and Mrs. Louise Oliver.

About the Dollar General Literacy Foundation

Founded more than 30 years ago, the Foundation has awarded more than $250 million to support more than 24,000 organizations in their efforts to advance equitable access to a quality education and inspire the joy of reading. Additionally, the DGLF plans to launch its fifth annual The Yellow Glasses Project campaign on July 17, 2024, in which customers can purchase yellow sunglasses at Dollar General stores for $2 each to benefit the Foundation.

The Dollar General Literacy Foundation is proud to support initiatives that help others improve their lives through literacy and education. Since 1993, the Foundation has awarded more than $250 million in grants to nonprofit organizations, helping more than 21.5 million individuals take their first steps toward literacy, a general education diploma or English proficiency. Each year, the Dollar General Literacy Foundation provides financial support to schools, nonprofit organizations and libraries within a 15-mile radius of Dollar General stores and distribution centers. To learn more about the Dollar General Literacy Foundation or apply for a literacy grant, visit www.dgliteracy.org.

The Ned McWherter Weakley County Library will have an added financial boost to it’s summer reading program thanks to a $2,000 grant.

The grant is from the Dollar General Literacy Foundation, which awarded more than 10.6 million in funding to help support nearly 1,100 adult, family and summer literacy programs across the country.

Assistant Librarian Karen Gertsch applied for the grant earlier this year and the library was the only library in the region to receive the grant.

The grant will be used for the library’s summer reading program which kicks off Monday, June 3 at their opening ceremony. Refreshments will be provided.

“The funds are to help draw kids into the library and have them participate in our reading program, thus promoting literacy in our community and hopefully a love of books,” Library Director Candy McAdams stated.

 “We are using the funds to provide the entertainment, specifically the Bob Tarter Animalogy (Natural History Educational Company of the Midsouth NHECM) program on the 21st of June,” McAdams said.

“The funds are also used to provide the prizes for the children, teens and adults as a reward for completing reading tasks.  The rest of the funds provide snacks, drinks and craft supplies during our other many events for the month of June. If we have any left over we will purchase some more Wonder Books, these are audio books that read with or to the children,” McAdams explained.

“We know that the summer scholars from the school will be attending some of our events also.  Our goal is to bring in more children and parents in the community and embed in them an appreciation for the library and for the joy of reading,” McAdams said.  

As part of their summer reading program, Adventures with Rocky T of WLJT kicks off on Wednesday, June 5 at 10 a.m. and Adventures with Madison Endres and West Tennessee Public Utility District (WTPUD) kicks off Friday, June 7 at 10 a.m.

Located at 341 Linden Street near downtown Dresden, the library has books, magazines, newspapers, periodicals, movies, audiobooks, and so much more.  They have public access computers equipped with internet for research and studying.  They offer Wi-fi jetpacks for check out and also have Chromebooks to borrow. 

Download the Libby app and have access to thousands of e-books, audiobooks and magazines with your library card. 

The children’s section offers educational reading for kids of all ages, and STEAM kits for teaching. 

The museum is open for class groups or visitors during library operating hours. 

The library also offers an online card catalog for the Weakley County Library.  Access it by clicking the links below from your Desktop PC.  There is another link for Apple iPad and iPhone users as well. 
If you should need assistance, call the library at:  731-364-2678 or email them at weakleycolibrary@frontiernet.com.

As part of Dollar General’s ongoing commitment to supporting literacy and education in its hometowns, each year the DGLF awards grants to schools, public libraries, and nonprofit organizations within a 15-mile radius of a Dollar General store or distribution center to help implement or expand existing literacy programs. Funding may be used to help increase access to instruction or advance the quality of instruction, purchase new technology, books, materials, or assist with professional development for educators. The Foundation plans to announce its 2024 youth literacy grant recipients in August 2024.