“I'm grateful for a community who loves my husband...who honors him in this way,” Sheree Ralston said during the official dedication and grand opening of the new Fannin County Public Library Saturday.
Ralston told the group of local and state officials, library representatives and the general public that her late husband, David Ralston, “would be so proud of this building.”
Ralston, the previous Speaker of the Georgia House of Representatives and District 7 representative, is credited with being the driving force behind the library, responsible for securing the state funding that paid for the majority of the building.
Fannin County Post 2 Commissioner Glenn Patterson said, “David was so instrumental and so great in making this happen.”
Spiro Amburn, who served as Ralston’s Chief of Staff, told those present that the library was the last program for which the Speaker secured funding. Amburn praised the work of everyone that went into the library saying Ralston would say, and not for himself, that leadership matters, continuity matters.”
The new library replaces the stand alone library on West Main Street in Blue Ridge that was torn down to make way for the new Fannin County Courthouse. A new library was promised then, which was over two decades ago.
The library now offers access to materials from over 300 libraries in Georgia, free Wi-Fi, free public computer use, access to over 36,000 e-books and audio books that can be downloaded for free, events for children, adults and teens, and a host of other services.
Immediate financial and continuing support continues to be sought for the facility.
Sponsorship opportunities are available, according to information from the Fannin Library Development Group, because there is still a need to raise funds for fixtures, furnishings and electrical needs. A room sponsorship program and paver program are included in the efforts.
For information about room sponsorships, contact:
•Hope at 404-510-4673 or email hope.burns@gmail.com;
•Sandy at 954-980-8769 or email sandyjaffie@gmail.com; or,
•Nancy at 281-910-8307 or email ngriffith47@sbcglobal.net.
Sandy or Nancy can also be contacted about the paver project, which involves putting the names of individuals or organizations on stone pavers at the entrance to the library.
The Friends of the Library work continuously to provide financial and volunteer support to the library. This includes raising money to help pay for books, materials and other equipment. Annual memberships are available. For information, email fol.fannin@gmail.com.