If there’s a “Little Engine that Could” in the Knox County Public Library system, it would have to be the Corryton branch. Located in the heart of Corryton, it’s housed in a replica of the train depot mere yards from the depot’s original location by the tracks, its charm enhanced by the presence of a retired red caboose donated by Southern Railroad.
Sue Walker has been the branch manager since 1995. She worked her way through the library system, starting as a volunteer in the library at Halls High School.
“I graduated from high school early,” Walker said. “After getting married and having my children, I went to work for the Knox County Public Library system. I just love books, and I really like hands-on work.”
In fact, Walker has worked in 10 different branches before landing at Corryton, where she volunteered when her children were still young.
Though originally from Halls, Walker said she has spent most of her life in Corryton. Her husband, Jack, is originally from Claiborne County and was the construction supervisor when the community decided it was time for the library to have a permanent home instead of the portable building once facing Corryton Road in the same spot.
The red caboose parked at the Corryton Library
Back in 1992, Knox County wasn’t able to fund a new building, so residents pulled together to raise the money instead. Raffles, chili suppers, bake sales and volunteer hours made it happen.
“This is the only library in the county that was fully funded by the community,” Walker said. “And people were cooking meals, bringing coffee and drinks for the crews that came out and worked on it.”
Finished in 1993, the building initially served as both a library and community center. Eventually the county reimbursed for the cost of the build, a new community center was built, and the library took over the entire space.
Right now, the library is open Monday through Friday from 1:30-5:30 p.m. Walker said, but the community would like to have some all-day hours.
“We had some special programs for kids ready to go right before Covid hit,” she said. “As we don’t have a separate meeting room, we had to postpone those. But hopefully we can get them up and running soon.”
She emphasized, though, that the library isn’t just for kids. Many adults make use of the computer access as well as the WiFi.
“This isn’t a super high-dollar area. And in some places, there’s just no internet available,” Walker said. She outlined why libraries are so important:
- Having a place so students and adults can come and check out books and share special books they enjoy with other people.
- Having access to a world of books and ideas.
- Supporting literacy.
- Helping families to know about all the different activities and programs the library has to offer for the public.
- Having access to computers and reference materials.
Now in her early 60s, Walker is getting close to retirement age, but said it’s not something she’s really thinking about. Two of her favorite authors are Nicholas Sparks and Debbie Macomber, but said she’s also a big fan of biographies and other non-fiction.
“I like anything that’s going to teach me. Learning more is always good,” she said. “And I love my job here. Like they say, get a job you love, you don’t ever really go to work.”
Beth Kinnane is the community news editor for KnoxTNToday.com.