RCLS+

It’s officially time to get signed up for the 2024 Summer Reading Program. RCLS Branches utilizing the online ReadSquared platform are Linebaugh, MGL inside Patterson Park, Smyrna and the Bookmobile. This program is designed for readers of all ages to encourage life-long reading habits. Once you’ve earned enough points you’ll receive a completion certificate you can print and share! Register Online Here – Parents you can create an account first to easily monitor your children’s activity. Track Your Reading – Log in here and track your reading to earn points. Keep Reading! – Earn a completion certificate once you’ve completed the program. Not to mention, all of our participating branches will be having Summer Reading Activities, including kick-off parties, DIY crafts and more! Visit our calendar to find events or youth services page which has a full Youth Services calendar that is updated monthly. You can also follow us on social media via Facebook and Instagram! Happy Reading!

The Town of Smyrna will honor former Rutherford County Library System Director Rita Shacklett with a Proclamation in recognition of her 48 years of outstanding service to our communities. The public is cordially invited to join in honoring her Tuesday, March 12th at 5 pm. The proclamation will be held in the Town Hall of Smyrna located at 315 S Lowry St. Smyrna, TN. A Murfreesboro native, Rita Shacklett attended story times at Linebaugh Library as a child. She has been with the system since starting as a library clerk after receiving her MLS degree from Georgia Peabody College for Teachers, later moving on to cataloger, assistant director, and director.

Marc Anthony said, “If you do what you love, you’ll never work a day in your life.” Having worked over48 years for the Rutherford County Library System (RCLS), Rita Shacklett, will be retiring the end ofFebruary 2024.  Ms. Shacklett has been with RCLS for since October 1975 and has served as the Directorof Libraries since December 2008. Ms. Shacklett is a Murfreesboro native and attended story times at Linebaugh as a child. She is agraduate of Central High School and received her B.A. degree from MTSU in English and History. Shegraduated with her MLS degree from George Peabody College for Teachers.  Upon graduation, she washired by RCLS’s second director, Briley Adcock, and has been with the system since that time starting asa library clerk and moving on to cataloger, assistant director, and director. After spending over half of her life and career with RCLS, Ms. Shacklett is looking forward to spendingtime with her husband, children, and four granddaughters. She also plans to do some traveling andknock a few things off her bucket list. “It’s with mixed emotions that I make this decision, but it’s timeto turn the reins over to someone else to take RCLS into the future,” said Ms. Shacklett. Linebaugh Public Library is located at 105 W. Vine St. in Murfreesboro. Smyrna Public Library is locatedat 400 Enon Springs Rd. West in Smyrna. Eagleville Bicentennial Public Library is located at 317 Hwy 99Ein Eagleville. MGL Library is located inside Patterson Park Community Center at 521 Mercury Blvd. inMurfreesboro. The Technology Engagement Center is located at 306 Minerva Drive in Murfreesboro.The Historical Research Center (HRC) is located at 435 Rice Street in Murfreesboro. Explore, Imagine,Engage through RCLS. For more information, call 615-893-4131 or visit rclstn.org.

The Library Board’s Budget and Finance Committee will be meeting Monday, January 22, 2024 at 5pm to discuss the FY 2024-2025 budget. The meeting will be held at Linebaugh Public Library in the 2nd floor Board Room.Address: 105 W Vine St, Murfreesboro, TN The meeting’s agenda may be found here.

Over the past few months, our library system has taken steps to comply with changes in the state and local laws. For the sake of transparency, the board would like to present this fact sheet in an effort to inform the public about our library system and the specific steps that have been taken. In addition, this document contains information about library funding and statistics regarding how our library system has served its community throughout 2022-23. Click here to view the sheet. (updated March 2024)

With the recent changes in state and local ordinances, the Rutherford County Library System has revisedtheir Juvenile and Young Adult patron profiles. Beginning December 18th, all card holders under 18 yearsof age will be limited to checking out materials classified for their age group. The library system is awarethis will limit access to educational materials and required reading for students and has created a simpleprocess that allows parents and legal guardians the ability to update their child/children’s access to include their preference for juvenile, young adult, or full access to all library materials. All parents and legal guardians of cardholders under 18 years of age are encouraged to visit their local branch beginning December 1st to make any preferred adjustments to their child/children’s account(s) in an effort to prevent interruption of resource availability. Linebaugh Public Library is located at 105 W. Vine St. in Murfreesboro. Smyrna Public Library is located at 400 Enon Springs Rd. West in Smyrna. Eagleville Bicentennial Public Library is located at 317 Old Hwy 99 in Eagleville. MGL Library is located inside Patterson Park Community Center at 521 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. in Murfreesboro. The Technology Engagement Center is located at 306 Minerva Drive in Murfreesboro. The Historical Research Center (HRC) is located inside the Rutherford County Archives at 435 Rice Street in Murfreesboro. Explore, Imagine, Engage through RCLS.For more information, call 615-893-4131 or visit rclstn.org.