Clayton Library Continues Bridging Generations Together

CLAYTON, NC – At the Hocutt-Ellington Memorial Library, the story is not just found in books. It is found in the people who walk through the doors each day. For Library Associate Mardia Jacobs, the library is a place where community comes to life.

Since joining the Clayton Library in 2007, Jacobs has built lasting relationships with the people she serves. She helps visitors find materials, leads programs, supports book clubs, and connects residents with resources and technology.

“One of my favorite things is watching families grow,” said Jacobs. “You see children come in, and then years later they come back with children of their own. It becomes something that carries on through generations.”

Over time, those relationships grow even stronger with many visitors becoming familiar faces and trusted friends.

She says the library is not as quiet a space as many might expect. Instead, it is filled with activity, conversation, and shared experiences. From storytimes and crafts to tutoring and job support, the library brings people together in ways that go far beyond books.

“People come here for all kinds of reasons, but they stay because they feel connected,” said Jacobs. “It is a place where you can learn something new but also feel like you belong.”

That sense of community remains strong even as the library prepares for a major transition. After serving the community from a temporary location at 446 East Second Street, Jacobs and her colleagues are now working to move operations back to the newly renovated facility at 100 South Church Street.

The process is no small task. It includes packing thousands of books, organizing materials, and preparing for a new layout. At the same time, library services continue without pause. Programs for children and adults are still taking place at The Clayton Center and Town Hall (111 East Second Street), and staff remain focused on meeting the needs of the community each day.

“Even while everything is changing around us, our focus stays the same,” said Jacobs. “We are here for our community, and that does not stop during a move.”

Jacobs sees the renovation as an opportunity to better serve the evolving Clayton community. The updated space will include more room for programs, meeting areas, and seating, creating new ways for people to gather, learn, and spend time together.

“It is exciting to think about what this space will become,” said Jacobs. “We are creating more opportunities for people to come together and experience the library in new ways.”

She hopes visitors will feel that same sense of connection when they return.

“When people walk in, I want them to feel like this is their place,” said Jacobs. “Somewhere they can grow and be part of something.”

As the Town of Clayton recognizes National Library Workers Day on April 14, it celebrates Jacobs and all library staff who help bring that sense of community to life each day. Their work ensures the library remains a welcoming space where everyone belongs, even during times of change.