LaFayette Library, 2025 growth, 2026 goals
BY KADIE TAYLOR
THE LAFAYETTE SUN
LAFAYETTE — As the branch manager for the LaFayette Public Library, Rachel Johnson begins to look forward to the upcoming 2026 programs, she said she was happy with the growth she saw in 2025 and the engagement from families in the Summer Reading Program.
“Last year’s summer reading theme was Color Our World,” she said. “We saw an increase in the number of active readers, number of registrations and pages read. We are looking forward to the 2026 theme: Unearth a Story. We look forward to hosting the reading program every year as it is the most participated-in program each year.”
Along with creating engaging activities and making summer reading a fun goal for families, Johnson said summer reading plays a pivotal role in helping students maintain literacy growth through the summer.
“With the summer reading program, I think the main goal is always to help with the summer slide, when children lose some of what they’ve learned over the summer,” she said. “So I think it’s always helped with that. I know for my own child, I’ve noticed it — but if he reads in the program and participates, he seems to retain more of his reading skills when he goes to the next grade. We encourage parents to read with their children from birth, so even babies can participate in the Summer Reading Program… It doesn’t have to be books checked out from the library — it can be books they have at home or audiobooks.”
With the 2026 programs beginning, Johnson said treasured community events are remaining on the calendar, and some events with a strong participant response are returning.
“For 2026, we have the Story Times continuing on Tuesdays at 1 p.m., and we have a schedule for that available on our website, in person here at the library and it is posted on Facebook,” she said. “And then we have after-school programs, and that information is the same. You can access it the same way, and a lot of those are STEM-based. We have seen an increase in participation over the last month with our after-school activities. We just did a blubber science experiment — about how Arctic animals stay warm in the winter… We have the Basket-Making class, and we do have a Tech-Help program coming for adults in April.”
A space for all, Johnson said, the LaFayette Public Library is working to ensure adults have events to enjoy at their local library alongside the many children’s and family-focused activities.
“The library is a space for all ages,” she said. “We do typically have programs geared towards children, but we are looking to grow our adult programs more. But the bulk of our programs will be children’s programs that we have here. We do have more adult programs at [the Bradshaw location in] Valley that we encourage people to attend as well, but we’re building more here as well. The adults have their own reading program, and they receive prizes as they read, and different incentives as well. And there’s a reception held at Valley for adults who participate.”
With some in the community struggling with media literacy, Johnson said the Tech-Help program is aimed at providing a space for people to learn more about their electronics.
“With the Tech Help, you bring your device — if it’s your phone, Kindle, tablet or laptop — and we have a computer technician who will be here to answer specific questions,” she said. “So if you’re confused as to how to use your Kindle, how to download different things or just how to use your devices, that’s what the program is geared toward — to help you feel more comfortable using your devices the way you would like to.”
Through free and low-cost programs and events, Johnson said affordability is a reflection of an emphasis on ensuring the library is for everyone.
“We definitely try not to charge anything for children’s programming, because we want everybody to be able to come and participate — with the adult programs, if there’s a cost, it’s very low,” she said. “If you can keep the costs low, it keeps the library a place for everybody, no matter what you look like, your age, your financial situation — we’re here for everybody. And I think that it’s important for everyone to feel welcome and not to feel like, ‘Well, I can’t go because I can’t afford that,’ or ‘I can’t go because I don’t have this.’ It’s for everybody, and we enjoy that; we get people of all ages and backgrounds who participate in the library.”
For those who are interested in becoming a member of the LaFayette Public Library, Johnson said to just stop by.
“They’re welcome to stop in at either location,” she said. “We really try to encourage families and [help people] realize that their library card and membership work here, and it works in Valley. It doesn’t cost anything to get a library card if you’ve never had one before, and if you’re a resident of Chambers County or West Point, Georgia, you can receive a library card at no cost. If you need a new one, it is $2. So, just come in, get a library card and start browsing for books. If you have questions, we’re happy to help you find what you’re looking for.”
For more information, visit chamberscountylibrary.org or Chambers County Library on Facebook.
