Meet Melody Camp, Holly Pond’s dutiful librarian

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Melody Camp has been the librarian at the Guy Hunt Library and Museum in Holly Pond since it opened in 2012. (Sara Gladney for The Cullman Tribune)

HOLLY POND, Ala. – Melody Camp has been the librarian at the Holly Pond Guy Hunt Library and Museum since it was established in 2012. She has been the only employee of the library for several years. She holds kids’ reading programs every Tuesday morning and invents new crafts for the group each week.

“I love helping people and being around people,” she said. “Working with the children is always a joy. I love planning the crafts for the children’s programs.”

Camp welcomes people to utilize the library for any printing needs or internet access. Anyone is welcome to use the internet regardless of whether or not they have a library card. Library cards are free to all in Cullman County.

“Some people still do not have the internet at home. Some of my older patrons need help with all kinds of things – things you don’t think about,” said Camp, who shared that many of her patrons do not own computers or cell phones. She assists some residents by helping them fill out their online patient portals through their doctor’s offices so that they can keep their medical appointments. “They don’t have family; they don’t have kids, so what are they supposed to do?”

The Friends of the Public Libraries of Cullman County recently held a contest on Facebook asking readers to nominate their favorite librarian. Camp was named in the comments the most times from those who recognized how diligently she runs her library, securing Camp a $50 Amazon gift card. 

The Guy Hunt Library holds children’s programs all year. In the summer, kids are invited to a variety of special programs including shows from the McWane Science Center, the North Alabama Agriplex, magic shows and more. The library offers also offers genealogy books that individuals can peruse to learn about the family history of people from Holly Pond and other Alabama communities.

In the museum half of the building, there are several miniature replicas of old buildings throughout Holly Pond, including the school, Shaw’s Grocery and the post office, that were built and donated by the late James Scott.

The Guy Hunt Library and Museum is open 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays and 1-5 p.m. Wednesdays and Fridays.

Models constructed by James E. Scott are displayed at the Guy Hunt Library and Museum. (Sara Gladney for The Cullman Tribune)

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