Floor Plan
Our front doors located on Cherry Street are open. Patrons who require handicap access may enter the library using the back door located behind the book drop. Our doors on Rankin Avenue are not open at this time.
The second floor is currently closed to patrons except on Wednesdays for using the Genealogy Room from 9am to 3pm CT.
Non-discrimination Policy
The Sequatchie County Public Library will serve all residents and property owners who live or work in Sequatchie County and/or bordering counties. Use of the library will not be denied or abridged because of religion, race, politics, economic status, sexual orientation, gender, and/or physical ability.
Our library is a welcoming space for everyone. We believe in fostering an inclusive environment where all community members can learn, explore, and grow together. Your library is here for you! The complete text of our Non-Discrimination Policy is included in our Operating Policies. A copy is available for viewing at the library upon request.
Miss Betty Worley
In Loving Memory of Betty Worley It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of our beloved librarian, Betty Worley, on November 4, 2024. Betty took on the role of Librarian on April 4, 1962, and dedicated nearly 60 years of her life to serving Sequatchie County and enriching the Dunlap community.
Under her guidance, the library blossomed into a vibrant resource, expanding to encompass the entire Dunlap Community Building and growing to house around 25,000 books by the time she retired. Betty was a pioneer in bringing the library into the modern age, transitioning from traditional card catalogs to computers, and ensuring that our collection included everything from books on tape and VHS to ebooks, online audiobooks, and DVDs.
Her passion for literature and learning helped countless children develop a lifelong love of reading, and she earned the deep affection and respect of all who knew her. “Miss Betty” was not just a librarian; she was a mentor, a friend, and a guiding light in our community.
As we remember Betty, let us celebrate her incredible legacy and the profound impact she had on generations of readers. We invite everyone to share their memories and stories of how Betty touched their lives and memories of her in the comments below. Her spirit will forever live on in the pages of the books she cherished and in the hearts of those she inspired.
Rest in peace, dear Betty. You will be deeply missed.
MAKING THE NEWS
See the video on their site: https://newschannel9.com/the-daily-refresh/sequatchie-county-public-library-offers-more-than-just-books
MAKING HISTORY
1939-1940 – Construction of the Dunlap Community Building
The Dunlap Community Building was built in 1939 and finished early 1940 by the National Youth Administration (NYA). The NYA was part of the Works Progress Administration (WPA) as part of the New Deal sponsored by Franklin D. Roosevelt during his presidency. It focused on providing work and education for Americans between the ages of 16 and 25. Architects include: Horace Reynolds, Jack Lockhart, Hershel Brock, and Grover Elliot.¹
¹Middle Tennessee State University Center for Historic Preservation. (1994, May 5). National Register of Historic Places Registration Form. National Park Service. Retrieved March 7, 2022, from https://npgallery.nps.gov/GetAsset/d33912d2-213e-4c09-a3fa-e045fda54da9
1959 – Sequatchie County Public Library Opens
On September 20, 1959 the Sequatchie County Public Library opened. It filled only one room of the Dunlap Community Building with 1,000 books under its first Librarian – Wanda Long (1936-2016).
Other rooms in the building were for human services personnel, the forestry office, the Federal Housing Administration, a doctor, a dentist, and others.²
²Sisk-Casson. (2012, March 16). Sequatchie County Librarian Celebrates 50 Years of Service. Chattanooga Times Free Press. Retrieved March 7, 2022, from https://www.timesfreepress.com/news/news/story/2012/mar/06/county-sequatchie-librarian-celebrates-50-years-of/72325/
1962 – New Librarian – Betty Worley
On April 4, 1962, Wanda Long retired and Betty Worley took over as the new Librarian. She served Sequatchie County faithfully as its Librarian for nearly the next 60 years. During her tenure, the library grew to encompass the entire Dunlap Community Building with around 25,000 books when she retired. She also kept the library up to date in terms of technology – transitioning from physical card catalogs to catalog computers and now to an online catalog database. The library’s collection grew to include books on tape and VHS movies; and – when those grew outdated – ebooks, online audiobooks, and DVDs.
1992 – Renovation & Renaming
In 1992 the Dunlap Community Building underwent a timely renovation. It was renamed the Frank S. Barker Community Center.
1994 – Building Added to the National Register of Historic Places
In 1994 the building was added to the National Register of Historic Places.
2022 – New Librarian – Robin Burgin
In 2021, Ms. Worley announced her plans to retire. Robin Burgin became the Director of the Sequatchie County Public Library in February, 2022. Ms. Worley served as a consultant to assist with the transition until April 2022.
2022 – Beautification
In May 2022, Farley’s Ace Hardware and the Master Gardeners from the UT Extension-Sequatchie County donated gorgeous flowers, plants, and planters. They also continue to generously give their time to care for and maintain the plants around the exterior of the library.
2022 – Family Room Created
In 2022, our Computer Lab moved to our Media Room and the Overton Conference Room became our Family Room. The Friends of the Library provided a child-sized table and chairs for the use of our smallest patrons. This room now hosts our children’s programs. We also received a Technology Grant from the State of Tennessee allowing us to purchase new public and staff computers.
2023 – Summer Reading Program Expanded to Include Teens & Adults
In 2023, we expanded the reach of our Summer Reading Program to include programs for Teens and incentives for Adults. Our kickoff was the biggest yet with more than 300 people stopping by the library for fun, games, and signing up.
2024 – Family Room Renovation, Thrive Tribe, STEAM Nights, and More!
In 2024, our Summer Reading Program attendance reached just under 2,000 people! The Sequatchie County Public Library celebrated its 65th anniversary on September 20th by creating a Time Capsule to commemorate more than 65 years of service to our community. Our Family Room received an upgrade during the fall; we created a dedicated space for teens, with furnishings provided by the Friends of the Library. We also launched a new teen program called Thrive Tribe. Additionally, we were fortunate to receive several generous grants to support various initiatives. The Thinking Money for Kids grant from ALA and FINRA provided us with financial education materials for children, as well as programming training and support, along with 6 children’s offline tablets, known as Launchpads, which include financial education games – which became available for checkout in early November. The Rural Technology Fund awarded us a grant to purchase STEM kits for older kids, which will be utilized during our new monthly STEAM Nights starting in October 2024. Furthermore, we were awarded a significant Arts Build Communities Grant from the Tennessee Arts Commission, allowing us to offer 18 free art classes open to the public for all skill levels between October 2024 and June 2025, with administrative support from the Southeast Tennessee Development District.
The Future?
We’ve got big plans for next year!
Want to help? Join the Friends of the Library to be involved and help us provide fun, engaging programs and more!
Check out membership details and dues on our Friends page.