By Pat Feemster, Guest Opinion
For the first eight years of its existence, the City of Clay had no public library. In its ninth year, that changed due to a vision shared by some Clay citizens. Initially, this vision was a struggle and at times seemed as though it would not happen. Clay has a public library today only because of citizen determination and dedication.
Though there were many library supporters, there are a few who played significant roles in attaining that goal and have remained steadfast in their service. The purpose of this letter is to acknowledge those citizens and their roles in the establishment and operation of the Clay Public Library.
At one of the lowest points of the library mission, Sheryl Spivey, a Clay citizen who was a Clay-Chalkville Middle School teacher at the time, learned about the situation and spoke out forcefully at a council meeting about the importance of a library. A library committee was ultimately approved by the Clay mayor and council with Sheryl Spivey and Jackie Hambrick, also a Clay citizen, serving along with others.
Jackie was later elected to the Clay city council. She requested that her city responsibilities include serving as library liaison. Turning a vision into a reality requires that someone take the lead. That someone was Jackie Hambrick. She devoted extensive time and energy to research authentic restoration and funding options for the 1905 Queen Anne farm house; to work through the process of establishing a library; to seek experienced and talented library staff and, finally, to organize the opening of the library. Much of that time consisted of her personal vacation days. In less than a year from the time she took office in November 2008, the Clay Library opened its doors to the public on October 1, 2009. That was a huge feat, accomplished with help of others, of course, but all under Jackie’s direction and with her carrying the load.
In spite of the fact that library boards require significant time, especially for newly established libraries, two of the original library board members, Sheryl Spivey and Clay businessman Ron Self have served since it was formed.
The first board priority was recruiting and hiring library staff and they set the standards high. In 2010, Karen Moody, with over 20 years of experience in public library administration, circulation and youth services, was employed as library director. In 2010, Joy Lee, with a master’s degree in Library and Information Studies from the University of Alabama and 11-year tenure with the Trussville Public Library, was hired as assistant library director. Under their capable management, along with a dedicated board, the library thrived and quickly gained recognition for its rapid growth in services and patrons.
In 2012, Jackie was rewarded by the Jefferson County Public Library Association for her tireless work when presented with the Library Champion Award. At the time, Library Director Karen Moody stated, “The importance of her contribution is simple. Clay Public Library would not be what it is today without Jackie’s countless hours of volunteer labor. We have seen circulation and patron visits increase nearly every month since we’ve opened. Thousands of people are now enjoying their own library and taking advantage of all we have to offer because of Jackie’s hard work.”
For almost six years, the Clay Public Library served the community well, receiving well deserved praise from the Jefferson County Library Cooperative, the Alabama Public Library Service, other libraries and citizens.
Unfortunately, within the past year, both the director and assistant director resigned and the library board was “dismantled and reformed” by Mayor Charles Webster and the city council upon the recommendation of City Manager Ronnie Dixon. Two members were reappointed and three members were replaced – Sheryl Spivey, recently appointed Jackie Hambrick and Ron Self – the same three individuals that had served so selflessly.
Public accusations and demeaning comments by Clay city officials prior to that action regarding operation of the Clay Library generated negative publicity that has tarnished the library’s good reputation in the minds of many citizens. Such comments continue to be made at council meetings, even by library liaison, Councilor Kevin Small. If there were, indeed, valid issues with the library, would it have not been better for Councilor Small to attempt to work through the issues with the staff and board?
There are proper, professional ways in which to handle personnel and board issues when warranted. For the record, however, the city’s assessment of the library is in stark contrast to that of local and state library leadership, whose library credentials and comprehensive knowledge of Clay Library operations far outweigh city officials’ assessment ability and call into question the credibility of their accusations.
All of this has been hurtful to the previous director, assistant director and dismissed board members. To each of you, I say, “Thank you for your outstanding service to the City of Clay. The establishment and successful operation of a public library cannot be accomplished without dedicated and determined volunteers and a well qualified staff. Because of your contributions, that goal was achieved.”