County Libraries
There aren’t many truly public places left in America. Most of our shared spaces require money or a certain social status to access. Malls exist to sell people things. Museums discourage loiterers. Coffee shops expect patrons to purchase a drink or snack if they want to enjoy the premises. One place, though, remains open to everybody. The public library requires nothing of its visitors: no purchases, no membership fees, no dress code. You can stay all day, and you don’t have to buy anything. You don’t need money or a library card to access a multitude of on-site resources that includes books, e-books and magazines, job-hunting assistance, computer stations, free Wi-Fi, and much more. And the library will never share or sell your personal data. -- The National Endowment for the Humanities
Haralson County residents have access to public libraries in Buchanan, Bremen and Tallapoosa and all have computers available for public use. In addition to books and computers, the public libraries house materials and memorabilia of local interest and local genealogy. Meeting rooms for public use are available at no charge at the libraries and patrons have access to a public fax and copier.
Through membership in the Georgia Library PINES program, the Haralson Public libraries serve not only the residents of Haralson County, but also library users of 300 libraries in 53 other participating library systems across the state. PINES lets library users check out and return books at any public library in Georgia, providing access to more than 11 million books, free of charge.
Buchanan-Haralson County Library
The Buchanan-Haralson County Library is unique. This library is housed in the Historic Haralson County Courthouse. Completed in 1892, the two-story, red brick building is an elegant example of Victorian architecture with corner turret, slate shingles, ornate woodwork and a clock tower. The second story is still furnished as a courtroom, but it also serves beautifully as a large story time space. The main floor still has the original floor plan, and fiction stacks, children’s books, and historical archives run through the old meeting rooms, clerk areas, offices, and vaults. It’s a one-of-a-kind space that unites a historical sensibility with a contemporary purpose.
When all court business moved out around 1970 to a newer facility, the building sat empty for many years. The Haralson County Historical Society was formed to restore and preserve the building. Near the turn of the millennium, local leaders puzzled over a way to use this precious resource to a benefit to our community. “What about a public library?” was the question heard over and over. From that start, the library opened on February 15, 2003.
The library’s role as technology center and access point to the Internet is an important service. The children’s story time and teen programs receive above average attendance for the regional system. The library was chosen as one of West Georgia Regional’s pilot sites for the Georgia implementation of the Every Child Ready to Read program, to engage the community in early literacy efforts.
Warren P. Sewell Library - Bremen
The Warren P. Sewell Memorial Library in Bremen was founded in 1973. In the late 1980s, the original 3,500 square foot building expanded to 7,500 feet. A massive renovation and expansion project in 2012 added an additional 5,000 feet allowing the library to provide new study room spaces, a teen area, and a sort of community front porch that is one of the staff’s favorite parts of the library. Most of the furniture and shelving in the main part of the library is mobile (leading a former director to call this “the library on wheels”). This lets library staff transform the space as needed for events, programs, and daily library work.
The Bremen Library has a close relationship with its funding agency, the city of Bremen. While libraries across the country have struggled over the years with support, the Bremen library has received consistent support from the city for its services, expansion efforts, and the many projects and programs provided.
In addition to pre-k storytimes, weekly movie nights, author readings, movie presentations to area special needs groups, and other events, the library has a strong teen program that meets weekly. So whether it is painting book ends for the YA section, the monthly YA movie, classes on Internet safety, or the teen book club, the library staff puts a lot of effort into ensuring that the teens of Bremen have a fun, engaging, and safe place for them to come after school.
Another program that makes the Bremen library a bit unique in the library world is its weekly fitness classes. The library helps build strong bodies and minds with free weekly yoga and Zumba classes and a Monday night walking group. The library also acts as part community and cultural arts center with a featured artist of the month and a featured collector.
Tallapoosa Public Library
Tallapoosa Public Library opened its current location April 1991. The library houses about 21,000 items in its collection. In addition to books, movies, music CDs, and audio books, Tallapoosa Public Library provides Internet access to those patrons with a PINES library card. Tallapoosa Library also provides story time for groups requesting it, and a Vacation Reading Club program in the summer.
In 1991 a civic group called, The Friends of the Tallapoosa Library was formed to support Tallapoosa Public Library. Since then, this non-profit organization has given thousands of dollars to the library. Almost 99 percent of the revenue raised by the Friends is given to the library for books and materials. Joining the Friends of the Tallapoosa Library is easy, just fill out the membership form and send it in along with your membership dues. Your membership is much appreciated.
The Friends of the Tallapoosa Public Library operate a discount book store two days a week staffed by volunteers; every Thursday from 1-4 pm; and on Saturday's from 11 am to 2 pm. The book store is closed in July. The discount used book store donates 100 percent of its revenue towards the operation of the Tallapoosa Public Library - helping buy books and other supplies. The book store contains thousands of books - both paperback and hard cover - from antique books to modern romance novels. All books are priced from a dime to a dollar. All are welcome to visit, browse and buy! The Friends of the Library Book Store is located in the Tallapoosa Civic and Cultural Arts Center; 245 Robertson Avenue, Tallapoosa, Georgia. For more information, call the Tallapoosa Public Library at 770-574-3124 or City Hall, at 770-574-2345.