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Paula Hopper was named the Director of the Beaufort, Hyde, Martin (BHM) Regional Library Aug 1. 

Hopper is the former director of library services at Beaufort County Community College. A North Carolina state employee for 32 years, she retired on July 31 then started at BHM the next day. 

It wasn’t Hopper’s plan to become a librarian; however, after teaching English classes for 17 years at Washington High School, Hopper decided to start the next chapter of her life surrounded by even more books. 

Hopper is now tasked with directing branch managers at eight different libraries across three counties including the regional library in Washington. These libraries are: Bath Community Library, Belhaven Public Library, Hazel W. Guilford Memorial Library in Aurora, Ocracoke Library, Hyde County Public Library in Engelhard, Martin Memorial Library in Williamston and Robersonville Public Library.   

“There’s a lot more admin than there is checking in and checking out books; however, when I get the opportunity to work at the desk or talk to patrons about books that is a pleasure,” Hopper said. “I think everyone comes into librarianship sort of hoping they’re going to work with books and read and lead book groups. It’s all that and more.”

One may wonder why Hopper does not oversee George H. and Laura E. Brown Library in Washington or why the two libraries – half-a-mile away from each other – do not use the same facility. 

The libraries, Hopper explained, are “entirely separate from one another,” because Brown is a municipal library that answers to the City of Washington and the City has “purview over Brown.” Conversely BHM rents the historic courthouse it resides in from Beaufort County, but is not “under the purview of the county.” It does not answer to the county government, but instead, a governing board. 

In addition to taking phone calls, answering emails, attending meetings and brainstorming ideas on how to best serve surrounding areas with branch managers, Hopper is also tasked with ordering books for all eight libraries. It’s up to each branch to decide whether they want to choose the books that go on their shelves, or if they would like Hopper to choose. 

One of the challenges of being a regional director is funding. BHM depends on outside funding for salaries, equipment and supplies, Hopper said. 

“Unfortunately, libraries are not always at the forefront of people’s minds when they think of giving money,” Hopper said. “We are a nonprofit and our services are free so it’s not like we are bringing money into the county.” 

Another challenge is the expansiveness of the BHM library system. Hopper said “anything could happen” at a branch one day and another branch the next. This could look like driving to Bath or Belhaven one day and driving to Ocracoke the next. 

The creation of e-readers, apps that allow bookworms to read on their devices and audiobooks can be seen as either a challenge for libraries to stay relevant in a digital world or to reconcile with it. 

Digital readers can support their local library by using the Libby and Hoopla apps which allows them to check out books and other media on their devices. Libraries provide free, reliable internet access as well as access to computers and printers. 

“We’re still offering probably more relevant services. We still have books and magazines and newspapers, but I think we are bridging that digital divide,” Hopper said. 

“To be honest, I had a concern – what will happen to libraries, because I came from the age of card catalog and as everything got automated I was like ‘oh, my career choice is going to fail me,’” Hopper said with a laugh. “But we are so busy, and we’re filling in community needs beyond books. Although, we still have a very robust book request.”  

Though libraries are adjusting to a digital world, their readers’ still have a voracious appetite for new books. On Thursdays, BHM sends out requests throughout the state for books, but on any given day they can receive a shipment of 50 boxes of books. “I didn’t really realize until I came in and saw what this library did – the volume of work they did,” Hopper said.  

Say what you want about young people spending too much time on their devices, but it’s actually BookTok that is engaging them with popular literature. BookTok is a hashtag on TikTok where users review and recommend well-liked titles and upcoming releases. There are an estimated 3.7 million videos on TikTok with the hashtag. 

Hopper believes BookTok and bookish social media influencers are “pushing a resurgence in interest in books.” 

When a regional library director actually has time to read, which books does she pick out? Hopper recently finished “Thunderstruck” by Erik Larson. She recommends “The Cloisters” by Katy Hays. These books can be enjoyed by fans of mystery, thriller, true crime and history. 

BHM Library is located at 158 N. Market Street in Washington and is open 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. For more information about the library and upcoming events, visit: https://bhmlib.org/