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Julie Lawrence Schaefer had always given so much to the Franklin County Library, and her friends and family are ensuring that her memory lives on through a new book section created and dedicated in her honor.

A special tribute was held at the library on April 27 to showcase the 41 books and three display stands dedicated in the late Mrs. Schaefer’s honor and to highlight what a great asset the library is to the Franklin County community.

Attending the event were Mrs. Schaefer’s husband, Milton, son Pledger Schaefer, daughter Molly Still, Molly’s husband, McLain Still, and their children, Liam and Julia Raine.

Mrs. Schaefer, who passed away at age 58 from uterine cancer on Sept. 16, 2022, became a Franklin County Library trustee in July 2002 after serving as an advisory member for a short time.

She then served as co-chair from July 2004 through June 2006. In July 2006, she began her term as chairman that ended in June 2011.

As chairman of the board, Mrs. Schaefer guided the library through becoming a full county department, an expansion to complete the lower level for a larger History Room and a program area and a state-level restructuring of library services and programs provided by the then-Highland Rim Regional Library becoming Stones River Regional Library.

In addition to her commitment to the library, Mrs. Schaefer also served as president of the Parents Council and on the Board of Trustees of Saint Andrew’s-Sewanee School. She was also one of the founders of the High on the Hog celebration in Winchester. 

Dr. Tom Smith, a library patron and a member of the Winchester Philanthropic and Eleemosynary Society, which spearheaded the tribute to Mrs. Schaefer, said her legacy with the library will carry on. He added that Mrs. Schaefer had contributed so much in so many ways and made such a difference in promoting children’s literacy programs that have become a library mainstay.

Milton Schaefer said the tribute was very humbling, and he expressed his gratitude for the kind gesture to honor his wife’s memory.

Molly Still echoed her father’s statements.

“It’s extremely humbling,” she said. “The library was such a special place to my mother, so this is a very meaningful tribute to her and her legacy.”

Her brother echoed her assessment.

“To me, it really means a lot,” Pledger Schaefer said, adding that he is very appreciative of the effort being made to honor his mother.

Smith said the tribute is also intended to increase awareness about the services and amenities the library has to offer.

In addition to the books that libraries traditionally have, other amenities include notary services, faxing, laminating, history and genealogy areas, tutoring, storytime for children, technical assistance and related classes, tax help, Medicare basics, social-media services, access to audio books, CDs and print magazines and other offerings.