Our Heroes

There is a group of people here in town that almost everyone knows. However, many people might not know they are library board members. They are the people that set the policies for the library system - the main library, the Doerun branch, and the Odom Library. They are the people responsible for overseeing the director for hiring and firing, submitting budgets, and general administration of the libraries. They oversee the investing of monies and spending of the endowment that runs the Odom Library. They are the people who request monies from the Board of Education, County Commissioners and State, and advocate on the State level for more funds.
These people come from all walks of life: business executives, insurance agents, homemakers, retired (and not retired) educators, a farmer, a mayor, and a pastor.
Library Director Melody S. Jenkins said: "As the economy fluctuates, the Trustees always have to be big advocates for the library. Some people feel you don't have to have a library, that it's not a necessity, but when the economy is low that's when library usage is at its height. People use it more to find jobs, learn about a new trade, take online classes or borrow books on ways to improve their lives, and they check out more movies and DVDs, etc."
That means the Trustees, who persevere in advocating for the library by finding funds and continuing to seek increases, are our heroes! They are the people who run the gauntlet to keep the libraries operating. They are the seekers of the funds. They help give life to our community libraries.
So, I'd like to tell you who these heroes are.
The Odom Genealogical Library Board Members are: Brooks Sheldon, Merle Baker, James Jeter, Jack Bridwell, Virginia Horkan, William McIntosh and Lauren Howell.
The Moultrie-Colquitt County Library Board Members are: Diane Stephens, Sharon Demott, Joanne Smith, Sharrod McCall, Jr., Terry R. Clark, Dr. Michael Helms, Alice Slocumb, Melinda Wright, Ed Willis, Jimmy Taylor and Jim Soos.
Doug Strange is the chairman for both Boards.
I hope if you see these people in town, you'll take a minute and tell them you're glad to know that they are the heroes for so many library patrons and staff members. We need to let them know we're glad they are the people who make sure our town continues to have these fine libraries: The Moultrie-Colquitt County Library, the Doerun Municipal Library, and the Ellen Payne Odom Genealogical Library.
Remember, they're your heroes too!