Town of Jacksboro votes to hire part time library assistant to help with children’s programs

JACKSBORO, TN (WLAF)- The Jacksboro Board of Mayor and Aldermen met in a Wednesday afternoon special called meeting to discuss the library. Members of the county library advisory board and a regional library board representative were present to discuss issues around the library.

The largest issue was the Maintenance of Efforts (MOE). The MOE is the town’s budgeted amount to keep the library operating, which is the largest source of funding the town’s library receives. The library does receive some funding from the state and the county.

In the fiscal year 2023-24, the library had a budget of $92,000 which funded a full time librarian, part time assistant and library expenses. In fiscal year 2024-25 the library had a budget of $66,000 which funded a full time librarian, library expenses and substitutes for the library which could be used as needed. Concerns have been raised by the regional library board, because the MOE has decreased. The regional library board wants to see the MOE go back to $92,000. The library advisory board told the board they would like to see a part time person hired in the library to help the librarian.

Another concern that has been raised by residents is a lack of children’s programming at previous board meetings.  During the meeting Mayor Shayne Green asked Librarian Gaytha Daughterty how many people had been into the library this week and she reported 37 people on Monday and 15 on Wednesday. Daughtery reported there were currently no children coming to the library; however she would love to have children coming into the library. During the meeting, Daugherty reported she had spent the past two years just trying to learn the job, leaving her unable to do children’s programs.

After several minutes of back and forth discussion between the board, the county library advisory board and regional library board representative, a motion was made and passed to hire a part time assistant for the library to help with children’s programs and work 20 hours a week. Daughterty will work with the county library advisory board to create a job description so the town can advertise for the position.

As the meeting ended, Green told those in attendance, he has never had any intention of closing the library. (WLAF NEWS PUBLISHED-07/24/2025-6AM)

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