FRL – looking back, looking forward

As I get ready to retire next month, I find myself looking back at nearly 25 years of working for the Fontana Regional Library System.  There have been a lot of changes.  Walking into the Macon County Public Library on Wayah Street, for my first day on the job, the first thing I found myself …

Simple Switch, Right?…Not as Easy as “ABCs”

Making the big move from Adult Reference Services to Youth Services was not supposed to be a big deal because  I’ve been a children’s librarian for most of my career, but after working with adults for 10 years, this may take some getting used to... Instead of people asking about how to save a document …

Libraries Lead

This past week, April 8th to 14th, was National Library Week! Hooray! We hope everyone celebrated appropriately with books and movies borrowed from your library. If not, don’t worry, Governor Cooper has declared this month as Library Appreciation Month!  National Library Week was first officially sponsored in 1958, making this the 60th anniversary! This week …

Broadband Connectivity on the Regional Level

By Guest Contributor Sarah Thompson, MPA Sarah Thompson is the Executive Director of the Southwestern Commission, and Administrator of the Mountain West Partnership. -What is Region A and the Southwestern Commission? The Southwestern Planning and Economic Development Commission was formed in 1965 by concurrent, joint resolution of the counties and municipalities within the seven westernmost …

National Independent Retailer Month

by Eric Haggart Eric Haggart is our guest contributor to this Shelf Life in the Mountains. Eric writes for the Franklin Area Chamber of Commerce. The Chamber recently moved into a new location at 98 Hyatt Road, Franklin. The month of July is National Independent Retailer Month, and a majority of our member businesses are just that, …