The Sandhills Regional Library System (SRLS) is inviting the public to join in a celebration of 50 years of service, and in the retirement party for Virginia Russell Gee, of Rockingham.
Gee has served the SRLS for 37 years, and is retiring from the position of book keeper and administrative assistant to the director of libraries, according to Regional Director Carol Walters.
“I’ve had the privilege of working with the library system and seeing the growth take place over the years,” said Gee. “The people have been the most interesting part, and I will miss that.”
The celebration will be held this Saturday at the Boyd Library on the campus of Sandhills Community College on Airport Road, in Pinehurst, from 10 a.m. until noon.
“SRLS officially began in 1962 when Moore, Richmond and Montgomery counties joined ranks,” said Walters. “Anson joined in 1968 and Hoke came on board in 1975. The region is a public authority with three policy making trustees from each of the five counties.”
The SRLS recently funded wi-fi for all 15 libraries, and continues to look for opportunities to serve the communities in which the libraries are located.
SRLS has more individual winners than any library system in the state, according to Walters. The 50 year celebration is a chance for library fans to celebrate with SRLS, and reflect on the progress and victories achieved over the years.
Walters said that when people tell her technology is up and books are down, she points to statistics for SRLS, citing a 58 percent increase in circulation since 1982.
“The secret weapon in our 15 libraries is staff,” said Walters. “They build the collections and programs, and keep the customers coming back.”
— Staff Writer Kelli Easterling can be reached at 910-997-3111, ext. 18, or by email at keasterling@heartlandpublications.com.
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