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JACKSON – Lillie Pernell, Branch Manager of the Northampton Memorial Library, appeared before the county Board of Commissioners to update them on happenings at the local library in Jackson.

“On behalf of the Northampton Memorial Library and Albemarle Regional Library system, we want to thank the Board, and we want to thank the County Manager. Thank you all for your continued support,” Pernell said at the commissioners’ meeting held on Aug. 15.

Even with pandemic precautions in place, Pernell reported that they have still been able to provide a variety of programs to the community during the past fiscal year.

“Programs were delivered in-house, virtually, and through community outreach,” she said.

Those events included book signings, basic computer classes, voter registration drives, story time, Leap into Science, appreciation luncheons, bookbag giveaways, and more.

The library also recently wrapped up their Summer Reading Program, an annual program held throughout all branches of the Albemarle Regional Library system. Pernell reported that they had 78 children register, and a total of 34,350 reading minutes logged once the program wrapped up. The library also hosted 20 events as a part of the program, with approximately 500 students in total attending throughout the summer.

“We’re also in the process of upgrading our teen section because we see there is a lack of teens coming into the library,” Pernell said of current projects.

The Bishop Programming Room will also receive new some new, updated equipment, according to Pernell.

Pernell said the library is working on several upcoming activities in the next few months including their Lunch and Learn series (in partnership with the Northampton County Health Department), outreach at local community day events, more books signings, holiday events, and more. She also thanked a number of community organizations which have worked in partnership with the library throughout the year.

Following Pernell’s presentation, the Board of Commissioners thanked her and her staff for the work they’ve been doing.