Coffee County library director calls summer-reading turnout 'absolutely insane,' seeks county funding for copier

The Coffee County Library planning committee on Monday heard a large summer-reading turnout and routine operational updates, including a request for county funding for an additional copier and the receipt of a final estate payment earmarked for genealogy.

The library director told the committee the summer-reading program has enrolled 725 participants across all ages and staff had logged 154,260 minutes of reading as of mid‑afternoon. "Summer reading is absolutely insane," the director said, praising staff members for months of preparation and saying the programs have drawn new patrons to the building.

The turnout, the director said, has strained the building’s capacity. "Our library is not suitable to serve the entire county," the director said. "We are set up to serve a 20,000‑person community, not a 60,000‑person community." The director and trustees said parking and space are recurring operational challenges when programs draw large crowds.

On finances, the committee heard that the library is collecting substantial copy revenue and the director asked that the county approve the library's budget request for an additional copier, which staff described as "desperately needed." The financial report also noted a small error in the statement of expenditures (a roughly $100 discrepancy shifted between medical and retirement lines); the committee voted to approve the report "with expected corrections." The vote was taken by voice and no roll-call tally was recorded.

The director reported the library received a final installment from the estate of Patricia Carol Lee of $5,291.84, adding to previous gifts totaling $35,000 that were earmarked for genealogy and digitization. "Miss Carol Lee was a big fan of our library," the director said; the committee said the funds will be used to expand the local‑history and genealogy collection.

Program metrics presented in the director's report included 11 storytimes in May (252 attendees), 10 additional children's programs (740 attendees), and notable single events—field day (124), a science program (142) and East Tennessee Dinos (264). The kickoff event was estimated at about 331 attendees; staff distributed 187 take‑home crafts and recorded 249 completed educational worksheets. The director credited specific staff (Alicia, Lindsay, April and Courtney) with planning and running the events.

On facilities, the director said engineers have produced preliminary roof plans following an on‑site review and that bids will be opened soon; lighting questions for the rear of the building are being finalized ahead of solicitation. Staff also discovered a failed security light during checks; the director said the final original lights are being replaced as part of a phased upgrade.

The committee noted that the library has resumed participation in the Imagination Library program after new local leadership resolved the issue that prompted the library’s earlier departure. The director invited trustees to the summer‑reading finale on June 26 from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m., which will include a water slide moved from the kickoff to the finale.

The meeting closed with scheduling items: the full board is slated to meet July 9 and the next planning committee meeting was tentatively set for Aug. 13. The committee adjourned following those announcements.