The Forest Public Library -- From Grit to Great

by Dianne McLaurin, Forest Public Library Branch Manager

GRIT: in psychology is a positive non-cognitive trait based on an individual's passion for a particular long-term goal or end state, coupled with a powerful motivation to achieve their respective objective. This perseverance of effort promotes the overcoming of obstacles or challenges that lie within a gritty individual's path to accomplishment and serves as a driving force in achievement realization. 

For a more hands-on definition, visit the Forest Public Library and read the library's well-documented history. After perusing a binder filled with primary sources, one word comes to mind - GRIT. The Scott County Library (as it was named for years) started in the home of Miss Mary Katherine Knoblock. It was organized in 1933 by Rev. Jim W. Sells during the time of the Works Progress Administration. The WPA supplied paid jobs to the unemployed during the Great Depression to build up public infrastructure. According to an article in the Scott County Times, dated Thursday, January 21, 1954, only a few books were available at the beginning; however, through the efforts of Rev. Sellers, some collections were sent from Boston and other places.

The next ten years consisted of packing and moving, changing directors and assistants, and setting up library stations throughout the county. The following is a quote from the article: "The going was rough and the very existence of the library was often threatened. Funds were extremely low and sometimes nonexistent, and the library was constantly being moved due to various reasons."  The article also states that the library moved three times in as many years, from the high school to the county agent's office to the community house. GRIT.

In 1936, Miss Carrie Pevey began serving as the director with various assistants. Later, in 1943, the library closed for several months. Miss Pevey was so interested in the work of the library that she continued to work without pay. She became ill and died in February of 1945. That summer, Mrs. H.E. Bishop, Mrs. Ollie Ott, Mrs. V.R. Lackey, and Mr. Beamon Triplett met with the Scott County board of supervisors and succeeded in re-opening the library with a donation of $1200. GRIT.

A library board was established and met in the home of Mrs. V. R. Lackey. Board members included Mrs. Lackey, Mrs. H.E. Bishop, Mrs. W.W. Gaddis, Mr. Beamon Triplett, and Mr. Lamar Rigby. Mrs. Bishop was appointed to serve as the librarian, and Mrs. Ollie Ott assumed her vacated spot on the board. Throughout the summer of 1945, Mrs. Bishop salvaged through the neglected books. Another quote from the article records her efforts. "They (the books) had been scattered all over the room, torn, and abused until the task seemed hopeless. Practically all the records had been destroyed. Many of the books were obsolete and were later discarded." At the final count, 1,713 books were placed on the shelves of a new location above the W.F. Stevens store on the corner of Main Street. GRIT.

Still, more moves would be part of the library's future. The article documents a move to the upstairs floor of the Masonic Lodge in the summer of 1948, and by the date of the article in 1954, the library was housed on the street floor of the building. According to the article, "This is the most desirable location." 

Little did they know nor would they see how their seeds of grit would grow. According to an entry in the Scott County Mississippi History and Families, 1830-2002, the old band hall at 210 South Raleigh Street was remodeled in 1967 with funds provided by the city of Forest and the Library Services and Construction Act in cooperation with the Mississippi Library Commission. In 1986, after the merge and split of two library systems, the Forest Public Library became part of the Central Mississippi Regional Library System, which currently serves public libraries in Rankin, Scott, Simpson, and Smith counties. Then in 1988, the library was remodeled again.

In 2010, those seeds of grit would grow into a great achievement realization. The new construction of the current Forest Public Library began - a city block of 28,000 square feet which would include 15,300 square feet of building area, 23 total parking spaces on the lot, and landscaped areas surrounding three sides of the library at a construction cost of $2,230,230.00 and an architect cost of $96,000 covered by the city of Forest. Approximately $100,000 additional dollars were donated by businesses, groups, organizations, and individuals to furnish the new library building.

Primary sources provide documentation of the magnitude of the building process. All the contents of the library were moved to the Community Bank annex building during the construction process. The old band hall, the renovated library, the remodeled library...demolished down to the ground, and in its place would stand a beacon for all those gritty individuals who never gave up. TRUE GRIT.

A Mississippi news anchor once described the Forest Public Library as "the Taj Mahal of Mississippi libraries." With its high ceilings, large columns, floor-to-ceiling windows, and impressive facade, the current library houses 12 access computer stations, five work computers, a conference room, a large meeting room, a children's story room, 13 individual study tables, two large sitting areas, a kitchen, two public restrooms, a genealogy room, two employee work rooms, a branch manager office, a reference room, and an employee restroom. The library is a one-of-a-kind civic structure, not only in the county but also in the state. The library boasts the newest technology, an up-to-date collection of circulation items, and a community presence that is both relevant and recognized. From the library's humble beginnings to its promising future, the GRIT of many became something GREAT for all.