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Spring Hill Library Struggles with Limited Space and Staffing, Seeks Solutions

Issue #052

09 Apr

In this What’s Up Columbia issue…

🗓 List of Upcoming Events

🌧 Columbia Weather - Rainy with a high of 66

📚 Spring Hill Library Struggles with Limited Space and Staffing, Seeks Solutions

🦃 Tennessee’s Turkey Season Opens Saturday

🤠 Country Dance Night with Urban Cowboy Line Dancing

🗓 Know of Some Local Events Not Listed? Send us the Details! 

Upcoming Local Events

🗓 Have an event to add? Send us the Details!

April 9th

April 11th

April 12th

April 13th

April 14th

April 20th

Spring Hill Library Struggles with Limited Space and Staffing, Seeks Solutions

Found myself looking for these kinds of pictures myself a while ago, when I stumbled upon this book market in Milan, Italy. Snapped a few pictures with the specific intent submitting them on Unsplash.

The Spring Hill Public Library presented its annual report to the Board of Mayor and Aldermen, highlighting challenges such as limited space, staffing shortages, and increasing memberships.

Director Dana Juriew outlined the library's situation, noting its Level 5 status serving a population exceeding 50,000 but falling short of state standards in various aspects. Spring Hill's library space is around 17,000 square feet, significantly smaller than comparable Level 5 libraries in Tennessee cities like Johnson City, Kingsport, and Brentwood, which range from 26,000 to 55,000 square feet.

Juriew emphasized the potential benefits of expanded space, envisioning increased community engagement through events like HOA meetings, scout troop activities, and utilization of business resources like the makerspace.

Staffing levels are also below the required standard of 15.5 full-time equivalent (FTE) employees, with Spring Hill employing only 12, lacking full-time clerks and computer maintenance/training staff.

To address these challenges, the library proposed adding two self-checkout stations and 10 laptops for computer instruction. Additionally, there's a need for more shelving, as existing space is nearly full, risking compliance issues with ADA regulations.

Despite these challenges, Spring Hill's library ranks among the top for circulation, with 365,067 items checked out annually. Services extend beyond physical circulation to include online transactions, Wi-Fi hotspot rentals, video game rentals, memory kits for dementia patients, and other amenities.

Juriew emphasized the importance of early childhood learning programs, expressing hope for expansion as the city's population grows. These programs target literacy from birth to high school, often in collaboration with organizations like the Boys & Girls Club to provide tutoring.

The library's future has long been a topic of discussion among BOMA members, with considerations including relocation to the Northfield Development Center building. While support for addressing expansion needs was evident during last Monday's presentation, the exact solution remains uncertain.

Suggestions were made to explore alternative funding sources, such as implementing a non-resident membership fee. However, concerns were raised about the potential revenue generated compared to the library's needs.

Ultimately, the focus remains on progressing towards a larger, more modern facility to meet state standards and align with other Level 5 libraries. Plans for a new building are expected to be included in the upcoming fiscal budget, signaling continued commitment to the library's growth and development.

Tennessee’s Turkey Season Opens Saturday

Tennessee’s statewide spring turkey hunting season opens Saturday, April 13 and continues through Sunday, May 26. According to Roger Shields, the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency’s Wild Turkey Program Coordinator, hunter success may depend on what area of the state you will be hunting.

“I think with the early spring we appear to be having, we should have a decent season, depending on which part of the state you will be hunting,” he said. “West Tennessee has seen a few years of really good production, and I suspect they will see the best numbers along with the central portion of the state. Productivity in the northeast has not been as good the past couple of years.”

In 2023, the spring harvest was 31,802 birds, a 6 percent increase from 2022 and 2 percent decrease over the previous 5-year average (32,495). Harvest during the beginning of the season was extremely high and decreased as the season progressed. A total of 25,500 hunters harvested at least one turkey, 20 percent greater than the 5-year average of successful hunters.

All 95 counties are open this year with the same hunting season dates. The spring turkey bag limit is one bearded turkey per day, not to exceed two per season and only one can be a jake. An adult gobbler is defined by having one of the following: wing feathers having white barring all the way to the tip, tail feathers all the same length, beard is longer than 6 inches, or a spur at least ½-inch long.

Hunters are reminded about “Tag Before You Drag” where hunters tag their big game animal in the field prior to moving. Hunters can use the “TWRA on the Go” app to simply E-tag and report their harvest in the field in one easy step, with or without cell phone service, prior to moving.

If a hunter does not have a phone, attach one of the temporary transportation tags printed at the bottom of your license, and complete your check in online at GoOutdoorsTennessee.com or at one of several manned check stations by midnight on the same day of the harvest (or before leaving the state). Temporary transportation tags can also be obtained by logging in at GoOutdoorsTennessee.com.

More information on the 2024 spring turkey season, regulations, and license requirements can be found in the 2023-24 Tennessee Hunting & Trapping Guide. The guide is online at www.tnwildlife.org and available at TWRA offices and license agents. To purchase a license online, go to GoOutdoorsTennesssee.com.

Hunting hours are 30 minutes prior to legal sunrise until legal sunset. Legal hunting equipment includes shotguns using ammunition loaded with No. 4 shot or smaller, longbows, recurve bows, compound bows, and crossbows.

Firearms and archery equipment may have sighting devices, except those devices utilizing an artificial light capable of locating wildlife.

(Press Release)

Country Dance Night with Urban Cowboy Line Dancing

Join the Urban Cowboys, Friday at the Mulehouse for their monthly Country Line Dancing class – a Columbia staple that promises a foot-stomping good time! Dive into the rhythm of the South with expert instruction, friendly vibes, and a great community of dance enthusiasts. Whether you're a seasoned dancer or a beginner, come kick up your heels and experience the joy of Country Line Dancing. Don't miss the chance to twirl, spin, and two-step your way into a night of unforgettable fun!

The Urban Cowboy Line Dancers are your instructors - Follow them on Instagram to see what nights at the Mulehouse are like!

All ages welcome! Age 18 and under must be accompanied by parent or guardian.