Watauga Regional Library connects
public libraries
Libraries are still all about information, and books
are a main source of that information. Books are also
a means of entertainment, especially for those who
love to read. By being a part of the Watauga Regional
Library and its library network, local readers can
access 800,908 books, videos, CDs, talking books,
etc.
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By Rozella Hardin
STAR STAFF
rhardin@starhq.com
The Watauga Regional Library serves the public
libraries of six counties -- Carter, Greene, Johnson, Sullivan,
Unicoi and Washington -- as well as three cities -- Bristol,
Johnson City and Kingsport -- and East Tennessee State University.
Its Northeast Tennessee Public Library Network
connects the public libraries of the Watauga Regional Center
to the Internet and the Tennessee Electronic Library -- a
network that dramatically improves access and maintenance
costs. "Sharing the costs and use of a powerful library management
system, housed on a computer-service at ETSU saves tens of
thousands of dollars in start-up and maintenance costs," said
Joyce White, Director of the Elizabethton/Carter County Public
Library.
The Northeast Tennessee Public Library Network
allows participating libraries to share collections -- approximately
646,991 books and other items in one catalog plus 153,054
items in the Public Library among the 418,244 citizens served
by the Watauga Regional Library.
The network was created in 1995 by state legislation,
and in 1999 the Watauga Regional Library and ETSU began a
cooperative venture to share the Endeavor Voyager library
automation system by means of a shared catalog and a courier
system that takes books from library to library.
White said the library network helps libraries
make the best use of tax dollars. "And it pays. Libraries
in the region earned supplemental state funds exceeding $35,000
in 2003 for interlibrary loan activity, the highest amount
in Tennessee," she explained.
"Our reason for being is service to the citizens,"
White said.
In the first half of the fiscal year (July through
December 2003), library users in the six counties of Northeast
Tennessee checked out 677,159 items. The latest registration
figures show that 154,182 people in the Watauga Regional Library
region have library cards.
The combined collection (books, videos, CDs,
talking books, etc.) for the libraries now stands at 800,908.
