Super Bowl champion joins the community in library dedication

Feb. 19—VALDOSTA — On Thursday, the Mae Wisenbaker McMullen Memorial Southside Library reopened to a bustling crowd. Inside the updated library, the children's area was dedicated to Malcolm Mitchell, Super Bowl champion, author, keynote speaker, and founder/CEO of the Share the Magic Foundation.

DeWayne Johnson, chairperson for the South Georgia Regional Library Board of Trustees, welcomed the large audience to the reopening. Johnson thanked supporters and talked about the library's importance and history.

From its opening in 1992 to today, the Southside Library has accommodated people living in the southern part of Valdosta, with nearly 30 years of positive impact and community building. Johnson thanked the community for having patience with the remodeling; however, he stressed that it was worth it.

"The renovation project has transformed the Southside Library into a modern, accessible, and inviting space that meets the diverse needs and interests of our patrons," stated Johnson.

Following Johnson, Miguel Vicente, director of the South Georgia Regional Library, discussed how the library helps equalize access to information, stating, "You come into the library, and you are going to be a king or a queen."

Angela Stanley, assistant vice chancellor for library innovation and collaboration, commemorated the people who worked to get the library renovated and the strength of the community. Stanley emphasized that the library served the community at present and future generations of readers.

"The new library is a gift to future generations," stated Stanley.

The opening ceremony culminated in a ribbon cutting by the SGRL Board of Trustees and the Valdosta-Lowndes County Chamber of Commerce. The crowd erupted in anticipation of seeing the inside of the building.

Once inside, Super Bowl champion Malcolm Mitchell grabbed the audience's attention in the children's area. A graduate of Valdosta High School, Mitchell said he wants to inspire present and future generations of children to read and find interest in books. The children's area is dedicated to Mitchell and his beliefs, the room being named the Malcolm Mitchell Children's Area.

The former University of Georgia star returned the honor by donating copies of his books "My Very Favorite Book in the Whole Wide World" and "The Magician's Hat" to the Southside Library and the South Georgia Regional Libraries.

Although known as a standout athlete, Mitchell takes pride in being a reader, and he hopes to positively impact all children so they can dream outside their daily lives and strive to fulfill their potential.

"I realized that the most self-empowering thing that we call all do for ourselves is read," Mitchell said.

With Mitchell's books on the shelves, the library is again open to the public Monday-Thursday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Friday from 11 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.