CULLMAN, Ala. – The Cullman County Public Library is looking toward the future with its “Every Chapter Matters” capital campaign, an initiative aimed at raising $1 million to support the renovation and expansion of the library while bringing greater awareness to the resources and services it provides to the community.
Helping lead those efforts is Laney Hulsey, the library’s new capital campaign marketing & community engagement manager, who hopes to strengthen community connections, encourage involvement and help residents envision what the future of the library could look like.
With a background in marketing and advertising, Hulsey brings experience in building relationships, increasing awareness and connecting organizations with the communities they serve.
“I really enjoy meeting new people, building connections and finding ways to bring people together,” Hulsey said. “I love having the opportunity to be creative, work with others and be part of something that makes a difference.”
Hulsey said the opportunity to combine her professional experience with a project that will benefit Cullman for generations was what initially drew her to the position.
“I was especially drawn to the capital campaign because it’s more than your typical marketing position,” she explained. “It’s about bringing people together around a common goal and helping build something that will benefit Cullman for years to come.”
The Every Chapter Matters campaign focuses on two primary objectives: increasing public awareness of the library’s existing resources and raising $1 million to support improvements to the facility.
Originally constructed in 1967, the library’s current building has served generations of Cullman County residents. However, as the community has continued to grow, so have the demands for additional programming, technology, study areas and gathering spaces.
“The current building was built in 1967, and Cullman has grown, along with our community’s needs,” Hulsey said. “Our current space can no longer fully accommodate the programs, technology, study areas and gathering spaces we want to offer.”
Through the proposed renovation and expansion, the library hopes to provide additional room for educational programs, expanded resources, improved technology and spaces designed to accommodate residents of all ages.
Beyond the physical improvements, the campaign also aims to change how residents view their local library.
“We want to raise awareness of everything the Cullman County Public Library offers and help our community see that the library is much more than a place to check out books,” Hulsey said. “It’s a place for learning and connection, as well as a hub of technology and resources for all ages.”
In her new role, Hulsey will oversee marketing, communications and community engagement efforts associated with the campaign. Her responsibilities include sharing the library’s story through social media, its website and other outreach efforts, while also developing relationships with local businesses, organizations, potential donors and volunteers.
As she settles into the position, one of her first priorities is listening to the community.
Hulsey hopes to spend time getting to know library patrons, learning more about existing programs and gathering feedback on what residents would like to see in the library’s future.
A community survey is currently helping library officials better understand which programs, services and resources matter most to local residents.
“I want to spend time meeting patrons and hearing about their experiences with the library,” Hulsey said. “Our current community survey is a great way to better understand what matters most to residents, what resources and programs they’d like to see and what they hope the library will offer in the future.”
Community participation will also play a significant role in reaching the campaign’s fundraising goal.
While monetary donations are an important part of the initiative, Hulsey emphasized that financial contributions are not the only way residents can make a difference.
Local businesses and organizations can support the campaign through partnerships, sharing information and connecting the library with potential supporters. Individuals can contribute by volunteering, attending fundraising events, making donations or simply spreading awareness.
“We know support doesn’t look the same for everyone,” Hulsey said. “One of the biggest things is getting people talking about the campaign and helping them understand why it matters. We want everyone to feel like they can help shape the future of their library.”
Looking beyond the campaign’s immediate fundraising goal, Hulsey hopes the initiative will establish a lasting foundation of community support for the library.
An expanded facility could mean more opportunities for children to learn and explore, additional study space for students, more programming for families and greater access to resources for residents who depend on the library’s services.
Hulsey also hopes the campaign will inspire continued giving and involvement long after construction is complete, allowing the library to maintain and expand the programs, resources and technology available to the public.
“I hope this campaign has a lasting impact beyond the building itself,” Hulsey said. “Of course, we want to give the library more space and resources to better serve our growing community, but I think the bigger impact is what that will mean for Cullman.”
For Hulsey, the success of Every Chapter Matters will ultimately be measured not only by the improvements made to the building, but by the opportunities those improvements create for future generations.
“It’s about more than building something new; it’s about investing in what happens inside those walls and creating something future generations can enjoy, benefit from and feel proud to be a part of.”
