Longtime library supporter Hickman gives up board seat

A longtime supporter of the library recently stepped down from its governing board.

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Norma Hickman, a member of the Columbia County Library board of trustees since 2004, attended her final meeting as a board member Nov. 8. Colleagues thanked her for her support of the library with a gift certificate to her favorite nail salon.

"I do appreciate everything that you have done," board Chairwoman Wilma Wade said. "You have done so much for this board. You are such an avid supporter of the library. ... No one can replace you."

Hickman said promoting reading and books is a personal passion.

"That's the most important thing for a child," Hickman said, adding that she and her husband, Elige, enjoy sharing books with others. "We get so much pleasure out of sharing books with people."

She spent 21 years as a media specialist in the Columbia County school system, retiring from Bel Air Elementary School in 1998.

Hickman started working with the Friends of the Library in 1999, organizing book sales and other fundraisers to support the former Gibbs Library and the move to the new library facility in Evans.

She joined the board in 2004 and took over as chairwoman in 2007, after Dr. Jeff Hardin retired. She stepped down as chairwoman in January.

"I loved being on the library board," Hickman said. "It was an honor to be on it. It was an honor to be chairman. I'll always feel good about that."

She'll continue to share books and volunteer with the Friends of the Library, and she said she plans to stay abreast of board and library business.

"I love each one of you," Hickman told her fellow board members. "I'm going to miss you. But when I miss you, I'm going to come to a meeting. ... I plan to keep my finger in it."