Elma Ross Public Library

Elma Ross Public Library Fact Sheet
Updated July 2017
Prepared by Katherine Horn, Library Director

Elma Ross Public Library began in 1910 as the Brownsville Carnegie Public Library. It was located at 121 West Main Street. The land was purchased from the Bullifin family. After correspondence with Mr. Carnegie’s secretary, Mr. Carnegie made a $7, donation for the building of a new library. The city was to contribute $ The library opened in 1912.

In the 1940’s the library became a part of the state’s regional library system. It then served both the city and the county.

In May, 1992 a new library building was completed at a cost of $500, One half was donated by Mr. and Mrs. Dick Ross, and $125, each was paid by Haywood County and the City of Brownsville. The Carnegie Library consisted of 1,800 square feet. Elma Ross Public Library building is an 8,200 square foot building which is 1,800 feet short of the suggested state library standards. The library contains about 34,000 materials. State standards suggest 2 materials per citizen, which would be about 40,000 materials. It serves a county population of 19, 797, about 50% of which is African-American, 49 per cent is white, and about 1% are Hispanics.

There are twenty computers to serve the public. They provide internet and e-mail service. There are also word processing programs, resume programs, games for children and access to the Tennessee Electronic Library database of periodicals and information provided by the state of Tennessee as well as access to the Regional E-book and Audiobook Download System. Four additional computers are for staff use only.

The staff consists of two full time employees. Katherine Horn, the director of 13 years, holds a Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Sociology. She is also a Certified Public Library Manager, having completed training provided by the State Library and Archives. Assistant Director Mark Estes has 6 years experience and a bachelor's degree in Creative Writing. There is one 20 hour worker, two who work part time, 2 substitute librarians, as well as a custodian who works 5 days a week. The library hours are 10 to 8 Monday, 10 to 5 Tuesday through Saturday, for a total of 45 hours. State library standards suggest 45 hours of service for a level 3 library.

The library board consists of seven citizens of Brownsville and Haywood County who hold 3 year terms. Members are: Rhonda Thompson Chairman; Gem Bell, Mary Lewis Tims, George Norvell, Chelsea Currie, Phoebe Parker, and Patty Sterbinsky. There is a limit of six years of consecutive service on the Board.

In addition to the books which the library holds, it has DVDs, books CDs, periodicals, puppets and kits for storytimes, and art prints which may be checked out.

The library has an Adult Section, a Young Adult Section, a Children’s Section, and a meeting room which may be used by the community. The Reese Moses-Scallions Genealogy Room houses the genealogy section. This includes microfilm of many county records, local newspaper microfilm, U. S. census records for Haywood County and other areas, as well as cemetery records and family history records. There is one volunteer genealogists: Mrs. Cynthia Cummins The library also presents a summer reading program each year, and presented approximately 20 adult programs and 6 other programs for families throughout the year.

Funding is provided by the city and the county. During the 2016-2017 budget year Haywood County provided $75, and the City of Brownsville provided $78, The library receives federal funds for materials through the Hatchie River Regional Library. This past year the budget included $9, for materials. State standards recommend 10% of total budget, which would amount to over $10,

The regional library provides technical help, as well as four to five in-service training days a year for continuing education.

The library has an active friends group, which gives additional support for non-budgeted items such as large print books.