board and a caring staff is powerful,” she said. The library’s foundation and its membership have put the “frosting on the cake” by helping expand and modernize the facility, add technology and offer services from preschool learning to the BRIDGES after-school programs, summer reading program, Accelerated Reader Program, higher-educational services, adult-education and more. Whether it’s writing grants for the educational and enrichment components of the annual Sylacauga Marble Festival or visiting senior centers on a quarterly basis, Comer Library is ready to provide quality service where needed. Spears said the library had more than 75,000 visits this year and more than 30,000 cardholders in a town of less than 13,000. The economic impact of the library is tremendous. Studies have shown that for every $1 invested in a good public library, more than $7 is returned to the economy. Another user of the library, a mother from a homeschooled group, explained how important the service is: “Without our weekly visits and the extensive book collection, we couldn’t make our units on botany, biology, ancient history and geometry happen. Comer Library and its staff are critical to our efforts to educate our children.” Statistics indicate that more than 70 percent of parents with children still living at home have public library cards. There are stories after stories about what this library means to Sylacauga and surrounding communities. Mindy Grier, administrative manager for Blue Bell Creameries, explained how her company trains as many as 200 employees in single sessions at Comer Library’s Harry I. Brown Auditorium. “Our folks appreciate the comfortable facility, and the trainers from our corporate facility in Texas can’t say enough good things about the state-of-the-art technology and the knowledgeable, helpful staff.” Vanessa Green, chief business development officer at the Coosa Valley Medical Center, said, “Comer Library’s co-sponsorship of Community Links allows us to offer physicians forums to showcase our doctors and provide health information in an up-close-and-personal way.” Long-time front desk staff member Annie Leonard said, “Almost every week we get visitors from other places. They often say, ‘This is about the nicest library that I’ve seen – how does a small town do it?’ I’ve been here for 30 years, and I’m proud of our building, our books and programs, and our art and sculpture, but what makes me feel really good is helping people find what they need to make their lives better.” Spears said the library staff continues to be inspired and motivated by the stories that come from all segments of the community. “It keeps us going to hear firsthand accounts of how this small-town library reaches out and helps transform lives.” she said. Spears said the library and other public libraries across the country level the playing field for the underserved. “Libraries are the one constant for Americans. They are one of the most democratic of all public institutions, serving people regardless of their age or economic status. You can count on your library, particularly in hard times. The B.B. Comer Memorial Library is located at 314 N. Broadway Ave., in Sylacauga. For more information call 256-249-0961 or visit the website at www.sylacauga.net/ library.
“We treat every child as our own!”
Sylacauga Pediatrics 115 West Clay Street, Sylacauga
Well Baby Clinic Now Open (next door)
Separate area for well baby check-ups
Robert M. Gray, MD Rekha Chadalawada, MD David M. Hardy, MD Darlene Mathis, DNP, CRNP Call for appointments 256-245-3267
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OMYA INC.
2071 Sylacauga-Fayetteville Hwy. Sylacauga, AL Tel. (256) 245-1777 • Fax (256) 245-0606
www.omya-na.com
Sylacauga Magazine 2011 • Focused on the Future
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