The Kodak branch library in Sevier County is one of 15 new and renovated libraries featured in the 2026 Library Design Showcase of the American Library Association. It’s online at American Libraries, Fall 2026 issue, which includes a showcase of interior photos.

The story by Sallyann Price reports: “Designers brought the Great Smoky Mountains indoors for this new children’s area, which includes speckled mushroom stools, a mural of soaring trees and woodland creatures, and a campfire-themed storytime rug. This mountain-lodge-inspired library is anchored by a central fireplace below a soaring cupola and flanked by locally sourced stone and exposed wood beams, while a covered porch and outdoor pavilion invite patrons to enjoy the fresh mountain air.”

Photo from Amy’s Appalachia

Murals by local artist Pinkie Mistry

But a blog by Amy’s Appalachia puts it in language we all know: “So when an unsuspecting soul asked me this morning if Kodak needed a five million dollar library I began my lecture with, “if you had been there yesterday, you wouldn’t be asking me that. … I saw a squeaky floor in a doublewide trailer and squirrels inhabiting the insulation, but above it all I saw a NEED.

“The Kodak community raised $1.2 million dollars towards the $5 million price tag. They sold property, they took friends to lunch to plead their case, they nicely asked businesses to donate a percentage profited (Texas Roadhouse accommodated them several times), they hosted yard sales, bake sales, chili suppers, and presentations where donations were accepted, but not required for attendance.

“Because the library is one of the few places you can go and it doesn’t cost you a dime.

“Maybe the murals in the children’s room aren’t strictly necessary. Maybe the lighting fixtures are a bit more decorative than purely functional. Maybe the elegant skylight in the center of the building letting the blinding sunshine in yesterday was a tad bit extravagant.

“But you know what? The Kodak community is deserving of fancy. They’ve outlived and outgrown their mobile home many times over. And sometimes I wonder if the library isn’t one of the nicest places some people will ever visit without it costing them a few Franklins. People deserve better.”

And residents of Kodak deserve better, Amy of Appalachia said. She listed more amenities:

  • A pavilion outside for gatherings
  • Meeting space inside for 135
  • Walkway pavers dedicated to individual veterans
  • A wall of 400 ornamental tiles designed by children of Kodak
  • Books, books, books
  • Computers, games and classes
  • Knowledgeable librarians
  • LOVE

“May the Lord bless this space and the people within it forevermore.”

Project history

The library system announced the groundbreaking ceremony for April 16, 2024, after years of fund-raising, property swaps and pleas to the county commission. Catherine Gilreath M.D. had made a substantial donation in memory of her parents, Sidney E. and Belle Shepherd Gilreath.

Catherine Gilreath M.D.

Sidney E. Gilreath was a longtime rural mail carrier in Kodak and the Gilreaths raised seven children there. At her memorial in February 2023, her brother, Knoxville attorney Sid Gilreath, recalled how their dad had driven to Memphis once a month while Catherine was in medical school to take her milk and fresh bread and other mountain cooking.

After graduation from the University of Tennessee College of Medicine in 1962, she returned to Sevier County and worked as an OB-GYN serving Knox and Sevier counties until retiring in 1988.

On February 20, 2024, Tennessee Secretary of State Tre Hargett announced a $200,000 library construction grant for the Kodak branch library. The announcement came with quotes from then-Sen. Frank Niceley and state Rep. Andrew Farmer.

Jeff Farrell, writing in The Mountain Press on August 25, 2025, reporting that work was continuing on the library, which would be four times as large as the existing modular library. It was finally opened to the public on November 17, 2025.

In memoriam

Today we note three retired educators who passed away recently. If a reader knows of others, please drop us a note at news@knoxtntoday.com/.

Sandy Lovely

Sandra “Sandy” Lovely, 67, passed away August 30, 2026, in Knoxville, from liver and kidney failure stemming from diabetes. She had a 27-year career as an Oneida High School teacher of Spanish, French and English as a Second Language (ESL). Born in Germany when her father was in the U.S. Air Force, she and her siblings spent most of their early years in England. Even after the family moved to Campbell County, Tennessee, her love of travel and other cultures remained. She led many student trips to Europe and joined many friend and family adventures to the UK, Paris, Costa Rica, Guadalupe and other Caribbean isles. Her obituary is here.

Thom Smith

 Thomas Aaron “Thom” Smith, 79, of Oak Ridge, Tennessee, passed away at home on September 2, 2026. He will be remembered as a dedicated Roane County educator, principal, vocational director, and director of Teacher Career Development at the TN Department of Education in Nashville. Born on May 31, 1947, in Knoxville, Thom grew up in LaFollette, Clinton and Lake City (now Rocky Top), Tennessee. He graduated from Lake City High School, Tennessee Wesleyan College, and the University of Tennessee at Knoxville. His obituary is here.

Jim Stevens

James Lloyd “Jim” Stevens of Karns passed away on August 27, 2026, at age 84. He set up the graphic arts programs for Knox County Schools, after moving to Tennessee in 1976. He taught first at Farragut High School and Byington Solway Vocational School. He later moved to Oak Ridge High School teaching graphic communications, retiring from Oak Ridge High in 2006. A lifelong learner himself, he moved with the times from teaching printing and photography to designing websites and teaching students to engage with the digital world. Jim and his wife, Barb, opened the White Pine Acres Christmas Tree Farm in Karns in 1992. The couple also created a video library of Karns history that is available in the Karns Public Library. His obituary is here.

Sandra Clark compiles obituary links and writes the Let’s Talk series for KnoxTNToday – Let’s Talk – Schools archive. Follow KnoxTNToday on Facebook, Instagram, X and LinkedIn. Get daily articles in one place with our free newsletter. Send comments to news@knoxtntoday.com/.