Emory Melton’s $25,000 donation makes library improvements possible
The new location of the children’s area at the Cassville Branch Library makes it easy for more children to utilize the space and the new literacy stations made possible by Emory Melton’s donation.
January 27, 2016
Charlea Mills
A generous gift to the Barry-Lawrence Library made a big impact on the Cassville and Monett branches and the youth of the community. Former Senator Emory Melton donated $25,000 to be split between the two branches just prior to his death. According to the Barry-Lawrence Library director Gina Milburn, the donation made a huge impact.
Melton made the donation to the library system which was announced at their November board meeting. Sen. Melton passed away shortly after on December 26.
Milburn said the donation was accompanied by a letter which indicated that Melton wanted the donation made in honor of Judge Ed V. Sweeney and his wife, Marty. He wanted the donation to go to help youth in the community.
Melton decided to make the donation after he heard about the Cassville Community Foundation donating to help the Cassville branch purchase a literacy station for children. The literacy stations are tablets that have specialty keyboards, mouses and apps for reading and learning for kids utilizing the children’s department.
With the donation, the Cassville library purchased items for both the teen and children’s sections. For the children’s area, they added three new literacy stations like the one the CCF purchased, as well as new seating and a shelving unit.
For the teen area, they purchased two new tall tables and four chairs, as well a shorter table and two chairs. Along with the new items purchased, the Cassville branch then made the move to switch the location of the teen and children’s areas. The children’s area is now located where the teen area was and vice versa. Verna Fry, youth services of the Cassville branch, said that the switch made a positive impact for both kids and teenagers who frequent the branch.
She said, “It expanded the area for the younger children to be able to read their picture books, but also have more room to play. A lot more children can utilize the space at the same time, which is great.”
The teen area also has new advantages. Fry said, “It gives the teens a more intimate space to be able to read and visit. We have a powering station so that they can charge their phones or tablets if they need to and have a space that is more their own.” The tables and chairs also make it easier for them to read and do their homework.
The swap between the two areas was being considered, but the donation made it possible to do that and incorporate all of the new equipment funded through Sen. Melton’s generous donation.
At the Monett branch, areas will be switched as well. Currently, the children’s area is by the bathrooms, but they will be swapping it with the teen magazine section. Because there isn’t as much space available to move things without inconveniencing library patrons, the staff will do the transition while they are closed. All branches will be closed on February 15 for Presidents Day. However, the Monett branch will stay closed an additional day, Tuesday, February 16, to finish moving things around.
At the Monett branch, Melton’s donation will fund a new desk for the children’s library, a bulletin board and a rug. The rest of the funds will go to purchase children’s and teen ebooks and physical materials.
The space in the Cassville branch is already being utilized by kids and teenagers and is a welcome change. The space is more open and utilizable for all of them.
Fry said, “[Sen. Melton] really left a legacy in a lot of ways, and this is a great way to support the youth of the community.”
She continued, “We are just so appreciative of Emory’s gift. It’s really helped us.”
Charlea Mills
A generous gift to the Barry-Lawrence Library made a big impact on the Cassville and Monett branches and the youth of the community. Former Senator Emory Melton donated $25,000 to be split between the two branches just prior to his death. According to the Barry-Lawrence Library director Gina Milburn, the donation made a huge impact.
Melton made the donation to the library system which was announced at their November board meeting. Sen. Melton passed away shortly after on December 26.
Milburn said the donation was accompanied by a letter which indicated that Melton wanted the donation made in honor of Judge Ed V. Sweeney and his wife, Marty. He wanted the donation to go to help youth in the community.
Melton decided to make the donation after he heard about the Cassville Community Foundation donating to help the Cassville branch purchase a literacy station for children. The literacy stations are tablets that have specialty keyboards, mouses and apps for reading and learning for kids utilizing the children’s department.
With the donation, the Cassville library purchased items for both the teen and children’s sections. For the children’s area, they added three new literacy stations like the one the CCF purchased, as well as new seating and a shelving unit.
For the teen area, they purchased two new tall tables and four chairs, as well a shorter table and two chairs. Along with the new items purchased, the Cassville branch then made the move to switch the location of the teen and children’s areas. The children’s area is now located where the teen area was and vice versa. Verna Fry, youth services of the Cassville branch, said that the switch made a positive impact for both kids and teenagers who frequent the branch.
She said, “It expanded the area for the younger children to be able to read their picture books, but also have more room to play. A lot more children can utilize the space at the same time, which is great.”
The teen area also has new advantages. Fry said, “It gives the teens a more intimate space to be able to read and visit. We have a powering station so that they can charge their phones or tablets if they need to and have a space that is more their own.” The tables and chairs also make it easier for them to read and do their homework.
The swap between the two areas was being considered, but the donation made it possible to do that and incorporate all of the new equipment funded through Sen. Melton’s generous donation.
At the Monett branch, areas will be switched as well. Currently, the children’s area is by the bathrooms, but they will be swapping it with the teen magazine section. Because there isn’t as much space available to move things without inconveniencing library patrons, the staff will do the transition while they are closed. All branches will be closed on February 15 for Presidents Day. However, the Monett branch will stay closed an additional day, Tuesday, February 16, to finish moving things around.
At the Monett branch, Melton’s donation will fund a new desk for the children’s library, a bulletin board and a rug. The rest of the funds will go to purchase children’s and teen ebooks and physical materials.
The space in the Cassville branch is already being utilized by kids and teenagers and is a welcome change. The space is more open and utilizable for all of them.
Fry said, “[Sen. Melton] really left a legacy in a lot of ways, and this is a great way to support the youth of the community.”
She continued, “We are just so appreciative of Emory’s gift. It’s really helped us.”
The new location for the teen area at the Cassville Library allows the teens a more intimate space to read, study and socialize. Tables and materials were purchased with the donation made by Senator Melton.
