On behalf of District 5 Commissioner Billy Parks and the entire Barrow County Board of Commissioners, Auburn Mayor Linda Blechinger presented a $10,000 check for new books, audio-books and other related merchandise for the Auburn Public Library.

The presentation was accepted during Thursday's Auburn City Council meeting by Piedmont Regional Library Director Alan Harkness and Auburn Library Branch Manager Kitti McKean.

"I have the honor of presenting a check tonight," said Blechinger. "I would just like to thank the commissioners so much for this check. We really appreciate it. We thank you both [Harkness and McKean] for your hard work and your effort to our library system."

Harkness expressed appreciation for the financial support of the library.

"We're very excited that the county is helping to support the efforts of the Auburn Library and we look forward to continuing that relationship with them," Harkness said.

"This donation will make a difference in the books available to the public especially children in the western portion of Barrow County, " he said.

McKean gave an update on the new library's statistics at the meeting. The counts that were available were dated from March 1-26. There were 1,409 visitors to the Auburn Library during that time and 476 computer users.

"This is about double what we had last year," McKean said.

The concrete has been poured for the new bike rack and the handicap ramp has also been completed. McKean also thanked Public Works for shifting the handicap spaces away from the run-off from the rain.

The library continues to offer weekly story time on Tuesdays at 10:30, regular book clubs, Book Junkies for teens on the first Thursday of the month, TOPS weight loss support group on Mondays at 7 p.m., and April 14-17 there will be a week of spring crafts for children. May is Georgia Archeology Month and there are several activities planned.

The library is also in the process of hiring a new children's coordinator.

Harkness also expressed appreciation to the City of Winder for a $10,000 donation that is going to the Winder Library for books and other reading materials.

Harkness, the Library Board of Directors, Friends of the Library and residents of the communities served by the Piedmont Regional Library System have been requesting that additional dollars be allocated to the regional system during upcoming budget planning cycles.

Because of a lack of funding for staff, the Winder Library has been closing on Fridays. All libraries can utilize additional funds for purchasing books.

Originally published Sunday, April 6, 2008