Holmes County Public Library receives new roof thanks to community collaboration

The Holmes County Public Library is preparing to receive a much-needed new roof, thanks to a collaborative effort between local leaders and generous community partners who recognized the library’s vital role in the community.

After discovering multiple leaks in the library’s roof, Director Becky Marsh approached the Holmes County Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) earlier this year to request assistance with repairs. Understanding the significance of the library to residents of all ages, Holmes County Sheriff John Tate quickly stepped in, offering a practical and cost-effective solution: the use of inmate labor to install the new roof.

Sheriff Tate’s initiative left only the cost of materials which was approximately $9,000, to be addressed. That need was met in full thanks to a generous donation from Angela Dockery, owner of  The Original Vortex Springs, and Heather and Brandon Shelby, owners of Dogwood Lakes Golf Course.

“Literacy is so important to our right now and our future,” said Dockery. “As we continue to advance into the Technology Age, it is very important to me to not only remember where we come from, but also understand that if the world around us crashes with the click of a button, we have something to fall back on.”

Heather Shelby shared that their support was deeply personal.

“We were proud to support our local library because it’s truly the heart of the community,” she said. “Growing up with a mother who served as a librarian in the Holmes County school system, I saw firsthand the impact libraries have on education, imagination, and opportunity. This donation is made in honor of her legacy and in hopes that the library continues to inspire generations to come.”

Director Marsh expressed heartfelt gratitude for the support shown by Sheriff Tate, Dockery, and the Shelbys.

“I want to thank Sheriff John Tate for taking action and offering help when we needed it most,” Marsh said. “And a heartfelt thank you to Angela Dockery and Heather and Brandon Shelby for believing in what our library provides to this community.”

She added that the library’s mission goes beyond books and resources.

“The future of every child, teen, and adult is rooted in education, knowledge, and safety,” Marsh said. “Knowing we offer those things is our way of building a better future for all who enter these doors. I believe in libraries. I am honored to be a part of a community that believes in them, too.”

With materials now fully funded and installation support in place, the Holmes County Public Library will soon have a new roof, ensuring the facility remains a safe and welcoming hub for learning, creativity, and community engagement.