Paris, Tenn.–The W.G. Rhea Library Bookstore in Paris is celebrating its 20th anniversary and the local mainstay, which officially opened in January of 2001, has seen a lot of changes over that time.
The current Bookstore Manager is Darcy Louer who has overseen the expansion that has occured in recent years. Current Rhea Library Director is Kathy Collins; the late Connie McSwain was Library Director when the bookstore was opened.
The bookstore was set up in the summer of 2000 due to a substantial amount of donated books and materials, lack of storage space and the amount of time it took through the year to organize them.
John Thomas and former Friends President Dennis Melhouse set up the bookstore shelving. Gay Nichols was the first Bookstore manager and she organized the donations and the volunteers.
Long-time workers and volunteers recently gathered at the Bookstore to commemorate the anniversary.
The opening of the bookstore in January of 2001 created a dedicated space for donations and an area for customers to shop for books, magazines and puzzles at discounted prices.
The former magazine room is now the children’s room organized by Dorie McCatharn who has volunteered for the entire 20 years.
The funds generated by sales and fundraising by the Friends board has helped do many things for the W.G. Rhea Library, including funding the preschool story hour, summer reading program, Polar Express, and purchasing a large laminator, furniture, lighting, and meeting room projector.
Current volunteers are Dorie McCatharn, Barbara Hyde, who is also a Friends of the Library director, Jennie Askew, Martha Downing, Jo Ann McDaniel, Kathy Ellison, Susan Stavely and Peggy Dean. Oma Bass has been the Friends Treasurer since 2007.
The Bookstore is online and you can find them on Facebook at “The Friends of the W.G. Rhea Library Bookstore”. They also are on Google maps. They have had tourists find the Bookstore while enjoying Henry County by googling “bookstore near me”. The added features of maps and calling options have helped travelers find and contact us with ease. There also are bookmarks at the Chamber of Commerce so that more people know they are here and what they have available.
The Bookstore recently held a book sale to commemorate the anniversity and which was crowded with book lovers.
The month long anniversary celebration will include many door prizes supplied by Harrison and Co., Sweet Jordan’s, Domino’s, Lura Lee’s and Pizza Hut. Stop in to find some reading material and sign up for a chance at a prize.
Photo: Standing are Director Kathy Collins at left and Bookstore Manager Darcy Louer at right. Seated are Dorie McCatharn, Dennis Melhouse and Gay Nichols. Also present but not in photo was Oma Bass. (Photo by Fran Jenkins).
