Rockwall County observes National Library Week

ROCKWALL, TX (April 10, 2014) A commissioners court proclamation and a check for more than a quarter million dollars mark Rockwall County’s observation of National Library Week. 

At the April 8^th commissioners court meeting, Judge Jerry Hogan and the Commissioners Court issued a proclamation designating April 13-19 as National Library Week.  Volunteer representatives Madi Hartley and Darlene Bealmear accepted the proclamation.

Judge Hogan commented that the Rockwall County Library accounts for $2 million of the annual county budget.  This includes $900,000 debt service on the library construction bond.  He stated that the library is growing and encouraged citizens to take advantage of this excellent facility.

Bev Stibbens, president of Friends of the Rockwall County Library, presented the court a check facsimile for $274,590.28 representing the value of 12,402 hours of volunteer services performed at the library during fiscal year 2013.

She explained that volunteers shelve books, maintain the Book Alcove, and perform light clerical duties that help keep the library running smoothly.  Student volunteers work in the children’s area and assist during the Summer Reading Program.

Stibbens told the court that 79 tutors work with the library’s literacy program, Reading for Adults.  These volunteers teach 285 adults who are in the English as a Second Language (ESL) program, work with 305 students who are studying for the GED test, tutor people who have never learned to read, and conduct citizenship classes for 56 students.   During this past fiscal year 1,538 classes were held.  Seven students learned to read and write, 37 adults have earned GED certificates, 4 were accepted to college, 150 advanced a class level, and three became citizens.

For more information about becoming a library volunteer, call 972-204-7700.

Story and photos by Nell Welborn.

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  county commissioners court, national library week, proclamation, Rockwall