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.
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 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 The library’s collection grew to include books on tape and VHS movies; and – when those grew outdated – ebooks, online audiobooks, and DVDs.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.
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.
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.