First Posted: 11/19/2012

I can’t believe the holiday season is here already. We will be having a quiet Thanksgiving at home this year and I am glad to take the opportunity to count our blessings.

I am thankful for Tony, who is doing an outstanding job at the Hector McLean Public Library in Fairmont. I receive many nice comments about the service he provides and library use continues to grow in that community.

I want to give a special thanks to Mike Miller, senior director of operations at Campbell Soup for recognizing the value of the Gilbert Patterson Memorial Library to the Maxton community with a generous donation of $5,000. Pat, the branch manager, and everyone on the Maxton library board deserve a lot of credit for their hard work in support of the library.

Paul Terry and other board members of the Annie Hubbard McEachern Public Library in St. Pauls provide the volunteer fund-raising efforts that continue to support their community library. Thank you, and thanks to all those who contribute with their donations. Thanks to Mary Jane and Dora for being the face of the library in St. Pauls.

We are glad to have the McMillan Memorial Library in Red Springs as part of the Robeson County Library System. The branch has added Internet computers for public use, updated its collection and continue to add new materials and programs to benefit the community.

Mattie and Caroline provide outstanding service to the residents of Pembroke. The newly renovated Pembroke Public Library is a standout for Robeson County Public Libraries.

The library is grateful to Annie for keeping the Rowland Public Library running smoothly. She knows the community well and is always available to help anyone with questions.

Thank you to all the staff at the Lumberton library. Pearl is invaluable in managing the details that run the organization. I would also like to give special appreciation to all the front line staff who assist library customers with their requests. Marvin deserves a lot of gratitude for taking library services out to the far reaches of the county with bookmobile outreach.

The library is especially thankful for the support we receive from the community and will strive to provide the best services possible. I am wishing everyone a happy holiday.

Catie Roche is the director of the Robeson County Public Library. You can reach her at [email protected]. Catie is reading “The Casual Vacancy” by J.K. Rowling.