yesterday's tennessee

Parsons Library

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A striking example of what a small town can do for itself and by itself is the public library in Parsons, Tenn.

Parsons has a population of only 2,500, but community teamwork has produced a library growing steadily in size and service.

The project began in 1963, when Mrs. Lillye Younger and Mrs. Lera Washam, representing civic-minded groups in the community, proposed to Mayor Madison Scott that the town pay one-half the cost of maintaining a public library. Then the energetic women approached county officials and persuaded them to agree to pay the other half of the cost. Public opinion was strong in support of the project, so there was no hesitancy in using tax funds.

Library Opened

Shortly after funds for its operation were assured, the library was opened in a building on Tennessee Avenue. It was originally stocked with more than 1,000 books provided by the Regional Library Service in Jackson, Tenn, More were added later, Mrs. Washam became the first librarian.

Recently the library moved into new quarters, and Mrs. Lelia Conder succeeded Mrs. Washam as librarian.

Parsons continues to work to make the library better. The Rotary Club recently donated several long tables and 30 chairs for the reading room. Mrs. Alice Reid and Mrs. Constance Collett donated electric fan s. Home Demonstration Clubs in the county are redecorating the interior and installing new wall-to-wall carpeting, draperies, and shades.

Two reading clubs for youths have been organized to encourage the boys and girls of the community to read more books,

The library has about 3,000 books and every 8 weeks receives n e w books from the center at Jackson. Books are borrowed from the library by townspeople at the rate of about 800 a month.