Commentary By Melanie Patterson

The North Jefferson News



As a person who loves books and all things related to learning, it’s exciting that Warrior is working toward getting a new library.

Last year I had an appointment with Faye Pugh at the Warrior Public Library. Pugh is the head librarian and local expert on all things Warrior.

For my first visit, I drove back and forth on Hwy. 31 about five times before I finally saw the little brick library tucked away on a side street.

The library is well-kept, well-used by the community and way too small. A collection of 26,000 books is packed into the 1,800-square-foot building.

Despite its small stature, the library serves the community amazingly well. That’s in large part because of the staff. Besides Pugh, there’s Lanette Williams. Both Pugh and Williams have worked there for 23 years. Belinda Ballard, a part-time employee, has worked there eight years.

People like these women represent a nostalgic part of my school years. In both elementary and high school (there was no middle school then), my favorite place to be was in the school library.

It was a sanctuary. Not many students migrated to the library for a get-away like I did, so it was always fairly secluded. That was OK by me, because I liked to go to my favorite table to enjoy the quiet and be in my own world.

Several years later when I was earning a degree at UAB, I again found sanctuary in the library. I researched dozens of papers and read hundreds of articles and books there.

I think that’s why I’m so excited about Warrior getting a new library.

Last week, the Warrior City Council deemed the former National Guard armory as the site for the city’s new library. Prior to that, it had been up in the air whether the city would use the armory or build a new library from the ground up.

The council had to make a decision in order for the city to receive grants for architectural work and for construction.

There was also talk of using the armory as a recreation facility for a youth sports program, which is also very important. But the council reached a compromise when Warrior Elementary School principal Mike Frugoli said the city could use school facilities for youth sports. The city is now clearing it through the Jefferson County Board of Education.

With that hurdle crossed, the city and the Warrior Library Foundation, which is formed by a group of citizens, can make even bigger strides toward the new library.

The council’s compromise also means taking a serious look at re-organizing youth sports in Warrior, which council members said has been defunct for four years.

Many times, a council’s decision means there’s a winner and a loser. But in this case, both young scholars and young athletes win.