One of the new display cases in the vestibule at the Todd County Public Library has a small picture nestled in it.
In the photograph, the late Ms. Helen Rogel, a very active leader of the “Friends of the Library,” posed for a photo in the former library at 302 East Main Street on its grand opening day. That date, November 22, 1989, saw the former library officially opening after several years being located in the 1835 Todd County Courthouse. It is only appropriate that on November 22 and November 23, 2024, the Todd County Public Library hosts its official ribbon cutting and “Grand Opening Weekend” to welcome the public to the new 12,900 square foot facility located at 507 South Main Street. With the library already having its ‘soft’ opening on October 7, the Board and library staff have been busy adding more finishing touches to the building made possible through a KDLA (Kentucky Department of Libraries and Archives) grant. To prepare for the two-date event, staff members will have a staff development day on Thursday, November 21, thus requiring the library to be closed that day.
Plans for the two-day “Grand Opening Weekend” include tours of the new facility along with a day of children’s activities on Friday, November 22, followed by a ribbon cutting with the Todd County Chamber of Commerce planned for 12:00 PM on Saturday, November 23. Prior to the ribbon cutting, the first authors to have a book signing at the new library will introduce their books and have copies available for sale from 10:00 AM until 12:00 PM. The mother-son duo, Annette Hadden Valentine and her son Kenneth Valentine, have each published a book this year. Ms. Annette’s, a compilation based on the Bible and the recurring theme of the Shepherd in the Bible, is titled Sixty-Six Books of the Mighty Shepherd. Her son’s book, Cheating Death, provides a mixture of his life stories along with Scripture, revealing in one chapter how his wife of over 30 years also “cheated death” as she has battled breast cancer and all that entails.
Following the mother-son duo book signing, Chamber of Commerce ribbon cutting, and recognition of guests on Saturday afternoon, Charles Leavell, currently of Suffolk, Virginia, and formerly of Allensville, will also have available for sale copies of his two recently published books at 1:00 PM. His two books, which have been published the last two years, include Entergration: The Experience of One Black Child Entering into a White School and Todd County Training School: The Place Where Coal Went to Become Diamonds. Mr. Charles, a 1972 graduate of Todd County Central High School, also serves as the founder of and preacher at Open Hands Christian Fellowship in Suffolk, Virginia. A former Interior Communications Electrician 2nd Class with the United States Navy, Mr. Charles often returns home to Todd County to visit with family members here.
Mrs. Susan Carroll, a former member of the Library Board of Trustees who was very active in the completion of the grant process and planning for the new library, texted, “This is an exciting time for Todd County. Many individuals have worked diligently to make our new library a reality. Todd Countians should be very proud to have such a beautiful and state-of-the-art facility.” Noting the site for the library is positioned at a location allowing for all generations of the community to connect, Mrs. Brittany Withers, another former Board member who served during the initial planning, site selection, and pre-construction phase of the project, shared, “A new library for our county has been a personal dream of mine for years. Nine years have passed since the project began, and during those nine years, we have had lots of discussions and hard work to make that dream become a reality.” She also added, “I am so happy and proud to welcome this new library to our community.”
Others who assisted with the initial site location for the new facility include Kelvin and Lorie DeBerry along with Brad and Mandy Shemwell. The DeBerry and Shemwell families purchased a home formerly on the site, demolished the home, and then sold the property to the Library Board at a reduced price, thus making the current site convenient to the Elkton Volunteer Fire Department, the Elkton/Todd County Public Park, the Todd County Senior Citizens’ Center, and the soon-to-be senior living complex located nearby. Obviously, thanks is also extended to Gary Violette, a Todd County native and owner of Violette Architecture / Interior Design of Clarksville, Tennessee, for the functionality of the overall design as well as the aesthetics of the entire project.
With a reminder reading opens many doors, Ms. Jean Odum, a retired educator and the first patron who entered the new building at 507 South Main Street at 8:00 AM on its ‘soft opening’ date, messaged, “Our community is so blessed to have a place where people of all ages can enrich their lives by reading and learning about people and places they may never see.” Ms. Alice Chastain, a retired media specialist who worked at Todd County Middle School and at the former Elkton Elementary prior to her retirement, texted, “I am so very grateful to all those involved in the planning and acquisition of our new public library. Todd Countians should really appreciate having access to such a remarkable and spacious facility.” Mrs. Lori Marklin Morrow, formerly of Todd County and a TCCHS graduate, shared, “The new library is a vibrant addition to Todd County’s community. It is thoughtfully designed to welcome every visitor, including the youngest of readers. With an inviting collection of books, child-friendly areas, and activity spaces, it is sure to foster a love of learning and connection for generations to come.” Other people’s reactions to the new building typically include smiles, questions about the library’s resources and size, amazement at the well-planned building’s design, the many amenities it provides, and the wonderful addition it is to Todd Countians.
~ Article by Carolyn L. Wells
November 15, 2024
