Elizabethton is losing a prized jewel in the departure of Librarian Renita Barksdale, who is leaving within the next few days to become librarian in Smithfield, N.C.

Barksdale has been working at the Elizabethton-Carter County Library since May 2015.

With a smile that reaches from the front door to the back door and half-way across town, Barksdale is very approachable and has helped make the local library very user friendly by instituting a number of programs that draw people inside the facility other than to just read books.

For Barksdale, librarians aren’t only about books. It’s about helping people find what they’re looking for, no mater the shape it takes. It’s about training them to become autonomous in their research.

Under Barksdale’s leadership, the local library has become more than just a “place in town” that houses books and periodicals, it now is an outreach place.

Barksdale and her staff have partnered with dozens of local organizations to offer programs and information on a variety of different topics.

In our world, libraries are more important than ever. Where else can anyone, regardless of their socio-economic standing, access the information so critical to navigating our digital world? Barksdale and her staff have made the library a place that ANYONE can come and visit, whether that be for 10 minutes or the whole day, and not have to buy a cup of coffee.

It’s a place you can do local history and genealogy with volunteers on hand one evening a month to assist with your research. The library offers public internet access, copy machine, microfilm reader/printer, storytime for preschoolers, story club for elementary age children, and a summer reading program. It’s also a place you can stop in just to read the local newspaper.

And, this summer, the library has put in place an Adult Summer Reading Program, which runs for six weeks

Want to know something else? There will be a program Tuesday morning at the library on how to make quickle (pickles) with the UT Extension Service.

Once upon a time, libraries were hushed, quiet, adult places. Eventually, parents could take their infant or toddler to the library for storytime and then bring home a favorite book. Today, storytime might include games, songs, physical activities and plenty of laughter mixed with rushed anticipation — all related to the rich world of books.

The Elizabethton-Carter County Public Library under Barksdale’s leadership has become a vibrant library reflecting and responding to the needs of the community.

Barksdale has not been bashful about asking for more financial support from the city and county, and has been successful in getting those dollars.

Knowledge is an asset for all of us and libraries have long been the community’s keeper of it. Barksdale has served not only the library well, but the entire Elizabethton-Carter County community. Although she’s checking out this week at the local library, her imprint will long remain.

We wish she weren’t going, but at the same time we wish her well in her new job. It’s not only appropriate to say “thank you” for a job well-done, but lay the welcome mat out for a return visit anytime.