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The Morristown-Hamblen Library staff and board members visited with state legislators in honor of National Library Legislative Day.

“The trip was an idea I had and wanted to do before I left the board in July,” said Dr. Alpha Alexander, Library Board chair. “It was originally just going to be us visiting the State Library and getting a behind the scene tour.”

“It wasn’t until later that we found out that Library Legislative Day was coming up and we decided to use that as a way to visit the state capitol, meeting local legislators and discuss the importance of public libraries.”

The group began their trip visiting the state’s capitol, meeting with three local legislators; Steve Southerland, District 9 State Senator, Jeremy Faison, District 11 State Representative and Rick Eldridge District 10 State Representative.

“We found the trip very beneficial to the library to speak to legislators and show them we are here and how important this entity is for our community,” she said. “It really showed us how important the public library is for our community and how allowing people to access all types of knowledge can shape our world.”

“We highlighted the importance of the Imagination Library and how it crucial it is that young children all over the state receive free books and have accessible resources to learn.”

“Overall the legislators were very supportive of our efforts and what role we play in our community. We are really appreciate of them taking their time and speaking with us.”

“We asked them their favorite book and listening to them speak about books really moved us because we found how the library and the stories it contains shaped them into the men they are today.”

Following the group’s meeting they visited the Tennessee State Library to learn about its operations.

“My philosophy is that when people get the chance to travel outside of the area to see something spectacular do it so they can come back and bring ideas to Morristown to make the city even better,” Alexander said. “I thought the knowledge we received touring the library was very beneficial to bring back to the community here in Morristown.”

“During our tour we saw robots that would deliver books throughout the library.” “Watching them go really blew my mind. We went through their archives and saw where they would try to restore certain documents that had received damage over the years, and that was very interesting.”

Alexander thanked the Friends of The Library and also encouraged the community to visit the Morristown-Hamblen Library.

“We want to thank the Friends of The Library because without their support we would not have been able to go on this educational trip,” she said. “We want to encourage everyone in the community to visit the Morristown-Hamblen Library, get a library card and learn about all the resources the library offers the community.”