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We're Watauga!
An award-winning agency of the Tennessee Department of State: The
Watauga Regional Library is one of twelve regional libraries in the state of Tennessee.
The regional libraries are administered by the Tennessee State Library and Archives, which
itself is a division of the Dept. of State. In May, 2000, Watauga received the Tennessee
Library Association's Resource-Sharing Award for its trail-blazing
service.
Not really a library?: Despite our name, the Watauga Regional Library
isn't the kind of library that you can walk into and check out books. We operate in the
background, helping local libraries serve the public, primarily with services related to
the communications network created by the Tennessee legislature, the Northeast Tennessee Public Library.
Our purpose: The purpose of the Watauga Regional Library is to improve
public library service in the northeast Tennessee counties of Carter, Greene, Johnson,
Sullivan, Unicoi, and Washington. We do this by providing a variety of types of assistance
to local public libraries:
- Internet access: Watauga pays for Internet
access for its member libraries. The Internet is a resource of growing importance for
everyone. Watauga is the only regional library in the state that provides this service.
- Wide area network: Watauga pays for
high-bandwidth T1 lines and communications equipment to connect local libraries with the
Internet and with ETSU. The connection with ETSU allows Watauga's customer libraries to
use Voyager, a state-of-the-art library management system that automates everything from
checking out books to issuing overdue reminders.
- Technology support: Whether it's setting up
a new computer, configuring a local area network, coordinating the shared use of Voyager,
Watauga staff are available to assist local libraries in this increasingly critical area.
- Cataloging and retrospective conversion: A variety of services is
available to libraries needing to maintain their catalogs or convert them from the old,
manual card catalog into computer format.
- Training: An important aspect of the regional library system is its
provision of training to staffs of local libraries. This is an increasingly critical need
for underfunded public libraries facing the challenge and the potential of the Information
Age.
- Consulting: The boards and staffs of the local libraries benefit from
consultation with Watauga's professionals in the areas of library management and
bookkeeping.
- $$$$$$$ for books: The materials budgets of local libraries are
supplemented with an annual contribution from the regional library.
In addition, Watauga does provided some services direct to some non-library customers:
- Headstart Programs: Watauga supports these public preschools with
deposit collections of books.
- Community centers, nursing homes: As funding allows, and where an
organized program that promotes reading is in place, Watauga assists these with deposit
collections.
The Watauga Regional Library provides these services with a staff of 6 and an annual
budget of $490,000. We strive to serve in a manner that is as efficient and effective as
possible. We also strive to serve all libraries, regardless of size.
Although Watauga is a part of the Dept. of State, it has an advisory board made up of two citizens
from each of the six counties in the Watauga region. Members are appointed by the county
commissions. The purpose of the board is to ensure that the operation of the regional
library remains effective and relevant.
As you make use of the libraries in these counties, remember the Watauga Regional
Library, the mostly "unseen" library that has remained an educational and social
presence in the area since 1942. |