Dr. JoAn Trentham shared the 2004 Annual Report of the Pigeon Forge Library at the City Commission meeting Tuesday evening. The library, which had it’s grand opening in 2001, has flourished in the four years it has been in the current location at 2449 Library Drive in Pigeon Forge.
Trentham is enthusiastic about the facilities at the Pigeon Forge Library. They have a meeting room that accommodates 35 people, 14 public use computers, including a computer that is especially equipped for people with sight problems. The library has a good selection of Audio books, videos, DVD’s, CD’s and books that are totally free for the public to borrow. Mayor Ralph Chance said at the Pigeon Forge Commission meeting, “Many people have told me that they really appreciate the beauty and cleanliness of the facilities.”
Marcia Huskey, one of the librarians eagerly tells guests about the free online book club that the library that the library boasts. It is one of only a few in the state. Huskey says that it is perfect for busy business people, because it delivers a five minute read to a person’s e-mail, enabling them to see if the book is one in which they would like to spend more time reading. Patrons can select from eleven book clubs: fiction, non-fiction, romance, business, mystery, good news, science, fiction/fantasy, teen or audio. There are currently 207 subscribers and the website averages 4,140 hits each month.
Another popular program that the library sponsors is the summer reading that begins in June. It enables children to keep reading through the summer, when school is out, and be rewarded for it.
Trentham said that there were 105,962 people enter the doors of the library in 2004, with 12,366 members. Approximately $34,322.43 worth of books were added to the shelves this year. The library circulated 26,966 fiction; 9,351 non-fiction, 2,548 Audio materials, 2,610 books on tape; 52 interlibrary loan books through during the year. 49,193 other materials were circulated, bringing the total of books and materials circulated to 89,370.
Trentham said that the library has a registration of 214 per cent compared to the State of Tennessee average of 45 per cent, and that the library spends an average of $100.47 per person compared to the Tennessee average of $13.99.
The staff of eight is knowledgeable and glad to help those in need. They answered a total of 45,470 reference questions during the year 2004. They were privileged to attend a variety of workshops during the year, including the Tennessee Library Association Conference in Knoxville, Southeast Library Association Conference in Charlotte, NC; Ingram Spring and Fall Showcases; Best Young Adult Books of the Decade; and What’s New in children’s Literature 2004.
March has come in like a lion this year. During a snowy day it would be a cozy, intelligent choice to go to your nearest Sevier County Library and get a good book or audiovisual selection. To contact the Pigeon Forge Public Library telephone 865-429-7490 or go to their website at www.pfpl.net.

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