Meet a Woman Who Created a Library in Her Town

Lime Green Giraffe: Why did you decide to start the project of founding the library in Pavo?

Karyl Chastain Brazier: Pavo, where we lived, listed its population as being about 700 people. We did not have a library, and my children, Ron and Arlyn, loved to go to the library to check out books. The nearest library was about 15 miles away in Thomasville. It would be convenient for us to have a library nearby, but I also knew that there had to be other people in Pavo and the surrounding area who would appreciate the convenience of a library right there in town. A library would be an asset, a gift to the community.

LGG: What was the most significant challenge?

KCB: It was probably getting the support of the local people because they were worried that it would cost them money to open and manage.

LGG: What was the process like?

KCB: Things seemed to fall in place. The Men's Club said we could put a library in their abandoned building. It was in terrible shape. We worked to clean it up inside. 

Your grandpap drove down to Pavo and spent a couple days building bookshelves. I'd contacted the Thomas County Library System (not sure if that's the official title, though) and they worked with me to arrange books to be delivered after it opened and funding for it, as long as Pavo City Council would commit to providing a token amount of financial support. 

Then, we had to hire someone to be the librarian. We found Mrs. Ruby Lee Johnson, who was wonderful, and she became the librarian after we opened.

LGG: What is one thing you remember about the library in Pavo that is pretty cool? 

KCB: I liked the fact that your grandpap built all of the shelves, and Mrs. Johnson was such a special librarian. She was a senior citizen, retired, and well-liked in the community. And, it was nearby so Ron and Arlyn could go there every day if they wanted to.

LGG:What is your favorite thing about libraries in general?

KCB: Books, magazines, comfortable environment.

LGG: Where is the coolest library you’ve seen?

KCB: Other than the Pavo Library, I'd say that my favorite (coolest) library right now is the public library in the town I live in, Spring Hill Public Library in Tennessee. It's filled

with many great books, has a huge variety of programs for all ages happening all of the time, meeting rooms and a welcoming atmosphere. The children's section stands out as appealing and enticing. 

Don, my husband and I volunteer every three months to work at the Spring Hill Library Used Book Sale on a Saturday. I welcome people and count them as they enter the book sale room. Don helps lifting books, moving books, and so on, as needed. The book sale is very very popular. We usually have between 600 to 1,000 customers including many children brought by their parents, so it's a pleasure to see parents teaching their children to treasure books. (All children's books are sold for only 50 cents each).