Serving Boone, Blowing Rock, Banner Elk, and other towns of the North Carolina High Country
Founded 05-05-05
January 25, 2007 issue
Evelyn Johnson: Library Icon
Story by Celeste von Mangan
A two-month summer stint at the Watauga County Public Library stretched into nearly thirty years of employment and service for Evelyn Johnson. Most patrons of the public library in Boone recognize Johnson, the adult services librarian who has become something of an icon over the years. On Monday, January 29, staff and volunteers are preparing to celebrate Johnson’s birthday, a tradition created and continued to honor the people working at the library.
“I’m coming up on my thirtieth year with Watauga,” said Johnson. “When I started, it was only supposed to be for the summer. Then they asked the county commissioners for money and it turned into six months, then full time. I started as a shelver; then worked in circulation. I’ve worked in all departments. When I was in high school, I worked in the school library and decided I really liked to work with books and people.”
After high school and while working at the library, native Wataugan Johnson attended ASU, married and had two children.
“I’ll never forget when we were in the old building and it got so hot in the summer,” recalled Johnson.” There was no air conditioning and we had fans in every room. I was pregnant and mice would crawl up into the walls and die. The smell would make me throw up.”
In December 1998 the new library opened on Queen Street and Johnson moved with it. She said that she sees many familiar faces from the old library on Water Street and that a lot of children she used to read to at story time have grown up and are still library patrons, some with children of their own.
Her active involvement in library service extends into the community at large.
“I’m in the Kiwanis Club of Boone,” said Johnson. “I was the secretary and I will become vice president in February. I’m very community oriented; I like to do things in the community.”
With no plans to retire, Johnson expects to see more changes in the library in the future, but she hopes that the core services will remain the same.
“I’m sure that it’s going to be more toward technology,” she said. “I’m more of a book person myself. We will most likely see more e-books and downloadable audios. Some people say there is not going to be a library and that’s scary. The library is personable—it’s everybody’s library. I really like working here and I love the people who work here. I love doing what I do.”
Adult Library Programs in January and February
Loads of adult programs are coming up at the library in the coming weeks. Call 828-264-8784 to sign up for programs or workshops.
Adult Winter Reading Program—January 28 to March 15
Adult Services Librarian Evelyn Johnson coordinates the annual Adult Winter Reading Program. “We will be starting the Adult Winter Reading Program on Monday, January 28,” said Johnson, “and it goes through to March 15. People sign up, read books and write a review for each book. They then have the opportunity to receive gift certificates from local merchants or to win winter-type prizes.”
Library Book Gossip—Saturday, January 27
From 1:00 p.m. until 2:00 p.m., patrons are invited to bring a list of their favorite books they’ve read within the past year and share reflections and recommendations with other readers. Refreshments will be provided.
Library Book Club Discussion—Tuesday, January 30
The Memory Keeper’s Daughter by Kim Edwards is the book club selection for January. The group gathers at 1:30 p.m. in the library meeting room on the last Tuesday of the month at 1:30 and anyone is welcome to attend. February’s book is My Latest Grievance by Elinor Lipman, and the March selection is How Elizabeth Barrett Browning Saved My Life by Mameve Medwed.
Rubber Stamp And Valentine Making Card Workshop—Saturday, February 3
Create two cards and envelopes from 10:00 a.m. until 12:00 p.m. The workshop is for ages 14 years and up. The class is limited to ten participants, so call the library and sign up.
Love Poems and Stories—Tuesday, February 13
In honor of Valentine’s Day, participants are invited to come to the library meeting room at 6:00 p.m. and recite their favorite love poem, one they wrote or one someone else wrote, or read a favorite love story. Refreshments will be served.
Friends of the Library Annual Book Sale—February 22 to 24
The annual Friends of the Watauga County Library Book Sale starts selling on Thursday, February 22, at 5:30 p.m. at the Boone Mall. Thursday is for members only, but you can join at the door for a nominal fee. The sale continues on Friday, February 23, from 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. and on Saturday, February 24, from 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. All books have been donated to the library and all proceeds benefit the Watauga County Library. Most paperbacks are $.50 and most hardcovers are $1.00. Videos and CDs are just $1. Children's books are specially priced at $.50 for hardcovers and $.25 for paperbacks.
If you’re interested in volunteering to help with the sale, call Lori Nicklin at 828-264-2921.
Black Gospel Music History Program—Wednesday, February 24
Join moderator Sam Tate, host of Gospel Gems on Radio 106.1, to celebrate Black History Month. The program begins at 1:00 p.m.
Appalachian Regional Library: Board, Director, New Policies