Clay Public Library
The Clay Public Library is a municipally-operated public library adjacent to Clay Elementary School at 6757 Old Springville Road. It is overseen by a five-member board, appointed by the Clay City Council.
In October 2006 Sheryl Spivey presented a plan to renovate the historic Jayfe Ware residence at 7257 Old Springville Road, which the City of Clay had acquired in 2003, developing the surrounding farm into the Clay Ball Park. The $181,000 cost of renovations was paid by the city, with support from discretionary Jefferson County funds allocated by Bettye Fine Collins, and completed in 2009.
The library opened later that year and has been a member of the Jefferson County Library Cooperative since its founding. In 2015 the city was denied a termite bond on the building, and began setting aside money to build a new facility. The library moved into its present 6,600 square-foot building on June 2, 2018.
Tara Gearhart joined the library staff as assistant director in 2017, and later served as director, before resigning in June 2024. Earlier that month, Clay city manager Ronnie Dixon had instructed library staff to avoid buying materials which might "draw attention" from organizations such as the Freedom From Religion Foundation. His instruction was characterized by Mayor Charles Webster as a "miscommunication". On July 27 the Clay City Council voted to withdraw the library from the Alabama Public Library Service. In his motion, councilor Dean Kirkner mentioned dissolving the library board, but it was unclear if that was part of the vote.
References
- Morris, Williesha (July 20, 2024) "Alabama city backtracks after blocking Christian library book: ‘Embarrassing’." AL.com
- Basinger, Chris (July 27, 2024) "Clay City Council pulls library out of APLS amid multiple controversies." Trussville Tribune
External links
- Clay Public Library website