By Lee Weyhrich
PINSON — Pinson Public Library Director April Wallace had some good news to share at a recent Pinson City Council meeting.
Pinson Public Library is ranked 11th out Jefferson County’s 40 public libraries based on number of items circulated. What makes this even more of an accomplishment is that the Pinson library is the second-smallest library out of the 40.
The library circulated 69,782 items in a town with a population around 7,200. In addition to circulation, the library held 137 programs attended by a total of 3,313 people.
The library has been in operation three years and has boomed since its opening.
“This proves that there is great use for libraries; kids need them and adults need them,” Councilman Joe Cochran said.
In other news, as soon as Jefferson County funds are released and weather permits, paving will begin on Lea Anne Sector 2. The other paving project is to improve the shoulder on Main Street. Mayor Hoyt Sanders asked for the go-ahead to start work on that project.
The city council approved $3,800 to repair and surface the gym floor at Rudd Middle School. Generally the council splits the costs of such projects with the school, but since there has been so much effort to improve other conditions at the gym, Sanders recommended the council pay the total amount.
“The P.E. department, through volunteerism and donations, has done a great deal in the gym,” Sanders said.
The Bicentennial Committee is meeting every other Friday to plan for the big celebration in April, Councilwoman Joy McCain said. Only two details have been set in stone so far: Stanley Moss is working on a book for a walking tour of historical sites and there will still be a children’s zone at the event.
With all the upcoming events the city council voted to buy 150 heavy-duty plastic folding chairs for roughly $20 per chair. The chairs will be used at various events throughout the year and beyond.