Clay Public Library brings charm, books to community

One of Jefferson County’s newest public libraries, the Clay Public Library, might be small, but employees say not to let that fool you. 

“What we lack in collection, we make up with in charm,” said Holly Flores, library director. 

That charm is in part why the number of library visitors has increased from 2015, topping out in the 2,000s during the 2016 summer reading program — the most the library has seen in a month, according to library data. Circulation also is climbing.

“Once they come in, we’ve got them hooked,” said Pam Gilham, a full-time library assistant. “They love it because it’s homey. When they come in, they’re our guests. It’s just like being in a living room.”

The homey feel begins with the rocking chairs on the front porch of the historic Jayford Ware House, built in 1905 at 7257 Old Springville Road. Upon entering the white farm house, library patrons are greeted by employees in the circulation room to the left of the front entry. To their right, they can enjoy coffee in the teen room and then explore the rest of the house with computers and adult nonfiction in the next room on the left and children’s room across the hall. The rear left room is the new meeting space, while the rear right is the media room for DVDs and books on CD.

Flores, Gilham and the library staff have worked to revamp the space since being hired in the summer of 2015, from adding natural light and new paint to reading nooks and fireplaces. A 2003 graduate of Clay-Chalkville High School, Flores first worked in a library the fall after finishing high school, reluctantly she said, as a page at the Trussville Public Library. However, her view toward reading and libraries quickly shifted. 

“Almost immediately I fell in love,” Flores said. “The look of the library, the smell of the books and the joy on a child’s face when you have the book they wanted — even adults. It was just great helping people, being a part of the community and knowing everyone in the community. I just loved it.”

That’s the heart Flores has for expanding the city’s library use. And if the Clay Library doesn’t have the book, no problem. As a member of the Jefferson County Cooperative, similar to all Birmingham public libraries, books are available for exchange. 

“The van brings us books every day, and we send books out to other libraries. You basically have access to 39 other libraries. Even though we don’t have a lot, we can usually get it for you,” Flores said.

Next month, the library will kick off its communitywide summer reading program themed “Build A Better World.” The kickoff event is June 3 from 10 a.m. to noon, with bounce houses, cotton candy, face painting, balloon artists, games and more. 

“Come play, sign up and check out some books,” Flores said. 

While summer reading is often seen as a children’s summer activity, Clay Public Library is making a push for teens and adults to join in.

“Libraries are here to serve the community, not just a certain population of the community,” Flores said. “Children’s reading is the most important, but at the same time teens and adults need to be reading just as much as children do.”

The eight-week summer reading program will conclude July 29 with 19 events planned, including the kickoff and finale. Events during the program will include Zumba Kids, a magic show, bubble show, obstacle courses, Science Lady, parachute play, a ventriloquist, Sixth Day Creatures and a gardening/compost class. Every Thursday in June and July will be Lego Thursdays — a competition to “Build A Better Lego World” using a 10-by-10 base, which will be left at the library each week. The library is accepting donations of Legos.  

Events such as these have been a driving force for the library’s growth. In 2016, the library hosted 112 events, up 59 percent from 2015, and is on pace to pass that number before the fall. In the first four months of 2017, the library already has notched more than 50 events compared to an annual total of 46 in 2015 and 52 in 2014. 

“We have a lot going on, and we try to have something at least once a week for some age group,” Flores said.

A weekly story and crafts time for children on Tuesday morning and adult crafts once a month are the driving force behind the library’s event schedule.

Other events the library has provided Clay area residents are free tax preparation from AARP and a community garden and outdoor classroom — using an already picket-fenced area.