On Thursday evening, library staff, members of the community, and the Caldwell County Public Library’s Board of Trustee’s officially dedicated the library’s local history room in honor of former library director, Jim McKee.
In 1987, McKee received the North Carolina Library Director’s Association’s Director of the Year Award, an honor voted on by his peers. Upon his retirement that same organization honored McKee with a Lifetime Achievement Award.
“I feel his influence even today,” said current Library Director, Lesley Mason. “Mr. McKee was a dedicated public servant and ardent library advocate. I was honored to be able to be a part of this dedication.”
McKee was director of the Caldwell County Public Library from 1983, until his retirement in 2009.
During his 26 year career in Caldwell County, McKee was a member of the American Library Association, the North Carolina Public Library Director’s Association, The Southeast Library Association, and the North Carolina Library Association.
Unable to attend the ceremony, McKee sent the following words, “I am deeply honored that the local history room is being named for me. I am very proud of the library and know that we are the envy of many communities much larger than ours.”
McKee worked tirelessly to move the main library to its current location on Hospital Avenue. A plant enthusiast, McKee took special care in the beautification of the library grounds.